Why Would a Neutral Wire Be Hot? | Explained

A concern with a hot neutral is that it can shock you when you least expect it. A hot neutral wire is caused by a faulty wire, incorrect readings, an open neutral, and low resistance. Also, bad connectivity, high voltage, and lightning strikes can cause unwanted occurrences.

Reasons Why Would a Neutral Wire Be Hot

An electrical circuit usually consists of two wires. One is the ‘hot wire,’ where the power flows.  The other wire is known as the ‘neutral wire,’ and the circuit must be completed. It guarantees that power flows freely by ensuring its return to the source.

A neutral wire shouldn’t get hot unless the receptacle connections have been reversed or the gadget has an internal issue that has caused a lethal short between the hot and the neutral. There can be several other possible reasons. A list is given below.

False Wire

Be aware of the wire setting so that it’s actually a neutral wire. The neutral wire would either be white or gray, while the hot wire is black. This isn’t always the case, though. The neutral wire is blue in some places, while the hot wire is brown. The hot wire can be gray, yellow, or even blue in color.

Don’t jump to the conclusion that the individual who wired your circuit used standard color codes. To find the neutral wire simply use the red probe of a multi-meter to touch the exposed wires. There will be no readings on the neutral wire. You’ll get a readout from the hot wire.

Incorrect Readings

Some individuals believe the neutral line is hot because they measured it and it registered 120 volts. This is a case of ignorance. Essentially, the average individual is unaware that placing the tester’s leads between two neutral wires when the circuit is under load can result in a reading of 120V. This activity is discouraged due to the exposure to electric shock.

Open Neutral

The term “open neutral” refers to a breach in the neutral wire. The panel and the line transformer are connected through the neutral wire. It’s risky to have an open neutral because it gives the appliance you’re using a boost of energy. 

Also in this case the neutral wire generates a return path for the current, a break in the neutral wire will interrupt that return path, resulting in a fire. The neutral wire may likewise carry the same voltage as the hot wire as a result of this phenomenon.

Connectivity Issues

The most common cause of a hot neutral wire is faulty connections. It indicates that the hot wire has either broken or is linked to a hotline in the circuit. A light bulb connection, for example, necessitates the use of a hot and neutral wire. 

The neutral, on the other hand, turns heated if it is not connected, and the bulb does not light up. There’s an easy technique to see if the problem with the neutral wire heating is due to improper connectivity. 

Start by shutting off the circuit where the hot neutral is located. It protects the neutral from heating by interrupting the electricity flow. If it cools, it’s because the neutral wire isn’t connected properly. If the problem persists, get expert assistance because this is the most effective approach to resolve it.

Extremely High Voltage

High voltage is another factor that causes the neutral wire to heat up. High voltage is defined as any voltage of more than 100 volts that can cause harm to you. However, the normal maximum voltage for electrical circuits in the home is around 240-250V. 

Besides, high voltage can be caused by a variety of factors. A short circuit, for example, generates massive quantities of voltage and might potentially harm all of your electrical gadgets. As a result, if you’ve had a short circuit, the neutral wire is likely to grow hot as a result of the overload.

A Bolt of Lightning Strikes

Lightning strikes are a common source of neutral wire heating. When a bolt of lightning strikes a power line, massive amounts of electricity are released. It can be acute, such as striking the house or a hot wire, or distant, such as striking a power system. 

In any case, it affects the entire circuit, and if the electrical connections are not properly connected, it will cause damage to nearly all of the household appliances. It can also blow a fuse, causing the neutral wire to heat up.

Copper Wires Have a Higher Resistance

Copper makes up the majority of the wires in an electric circuit. Copper is a low-resistance conductor of electricity in general. However, as the length of the copper wire rises, the resistance increases.

If the cable is long enough, the resistance can build-up to the point where it impacts the electric system’s performance. You’ll get a hot neutral if you give less resistance than a neutral wire via your body.

Distribution of a Neutral Connection in a 3-phase System

The concept of sharing the neutral connection in a three-phase system is another cause for the neutral to carry voltage. The three stages are out of step with each other, therefore this sharing is necessary. 

The returning current will balance out instead of flowing to the power source through the neutral wire. Only if the current draw between the three phases is adjusted will this technique work. 

Most modern electrical appliances, however, do not have a balanced current. Switch-mode power supplies pull electricity in variable bursts in these electrics. Therefore, the neutral wires lose their capacity and balance. As a result, you may encounter a heated neutral in this situation.

Conclusion

Unsecured neutrals or hot neutral wires are harmful and can destroy your electrical gadgets as well as your home’s electrical circuits. Electricity can be dangerous. If you lack the necessary skills and experience, you should avoid experimenting with electric circuits. Instead of risking a rude awakening, employ an expert to complete the task efficiently.