[Boatanchors] Running European 230 VAC on our AC

[Mark Richards]

On 10/19/2012 17:50, Albert LaFrance wrote:
> A basic 240 volt circuit is two hots and a (safety) ground.  The hots can be
> any color except white (reserved for neutrals) and green (reserved for
> ground).  Typically they will be black and red.
>
> A 120/240 volt circuit will have two hots, a neutral and a ground.  This
> four-wire circuit is required whenever any part of the load requires 120V;
> for example a range which puts either 120 or 240 on a heating element
> depending on the temperature setting.  This can be confusing because, in the
> past, the National Electrical Code allowed one conductor to serve as both
> neutral and safety ground in specific cases (ranges  being the one I know
> for sure), but  now that's prohibited.  The neutral is considered to be (and
> is!) a current-carrying conductor and must be separate from the ground,
> which is provided for safety.  The neutral and ground are only
> interconnected at the service panel.  I believe the reasoning is that, if
> the neutral carries current, it will have a voltage drop, and if the neutral
> were tied to an appliance cabinet, there would be a possibly hazardous
> voltage difference between that appliance and a nearby grounded object.
Albert,

I love these types of exchanges.. as I always learn something new. 
Thanks for this clear description.

Would you know how neutral is used in a GFCI?

Seems like Neutral would be a good means of detecting protective ground 
issues.

/m