physicspriya said:i m an electrical student. can anybody clearly tell me why is a return wire provided from the generating plant to the load? does current flow through the return wire or is it simply meant to form a closed lop?
physicspriya said:so the concept of closed loop is met.Now my next question is does the return wire carry the same amount of current as the go wire?please explain this in detail. Thanks for responding to the previous question
Return wires in distribution refer to the wires or conductors that complete an electrical circuit by carrying the current back to the source, usually a power plant or substation. These wires are also known as neutral wires and are typically grounded to provide a safe path for electrical current to flow.
Return wires are necessary in distribution to ensure that electrical current can flow continuously and safely. Without a return wire, the electrical circuit would be incomplete and the current would not flow properly. Additionally, return wires help balance the electrical load and prevent overloading of the system.
Return wires and supply wires are both part of an electrical circuit, but they serve different purposes. Supply wires, also known as hot or live wires, carry the electrical current from the source to the electrical load. Return wires, on the other hand, carry the current back to the source to complete the circuit.
In some cases, return wires can be used for other purposes besides completing a circuit. For example, in three-phase power systems, the return wire can also act as a neutral wire and provide a low-resistance path for unbalanced currents. Additionally, return wires can be used for grounding to protect against electric shock and damage to electrical equipment.
In distribution systems, return wires are typically connected to a grounding system at the source, such as a transformer or substation. The grounding system provides a safe path for excess current to flow in the event of a fault or surge. In residential and commercial buildings, return wires are connected to the neutral bus bar in the main service panel, which is then connected to the grounding system.