[Boatanchors] Running European 230 VAC on our AC

[Glen Zook]

Actually, the center is neutral which is connected at the power entrance to ground.

Where 3-wire 240 VAC wiring is in place, there is 120 VAC on either side of neutral, which is "almost" at ground potential since the neutral is bonded to the service ground rod at the breaker box.

"Modern" requirements are for a 4-wire service in which a separate ground wire is run.  This is the same ground as with 3-wire 120 VAC service.

The neutral can NEVER be considered to be "ground" even though the neutral is required to be connected at "ground" at the entrance point.  Due to IR drop, which, of course, depends on the current being drawn through the neutral wire, there will be a voltage above actual ground in the neutral.  At low current, not much.  But, as the current increases so does this voltage difference between the neutral and the actual ground.
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: Ken <ken at wa0sbu.com>
To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net 
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 4:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Running European 230 VAC on our AC
 
None of my 240 is wired that way.  120 on Hot 1, 120 on Hot 2.  And a 
ground.  240Volt has 2 Hot wires.
Hot wires can be Black-Red or Black-White
Neutral not required for 240V.