What Is a Neutral Wire and Where Do You Find It?
You might not know it, but there’s an electrical current constantly flowing through your home around the clock, simply waiting for you to plug in a device or flip a switch. One often overlooked yet indispensable part of this system is the neutral wire.
So, what exactly is a neutral wire, why is it important, and how can you locate it? Today, we’re answering all of these questions to help you better understand your home’s electrical circuit wiring.
What is a neutral wire?
Before we get into the specifics of neutral wires, let’s go over how the standard alternating-current (AC) energy system in your home works. Here’s a breakdown of the typical components in an electric receptacle:
Hot or live wire (black or red): Attaches to a gold or brass screw in an electrical outlet. The conductor that carries electricity to outlets to power devices and appliances.
Neutral wire (white): Attaches to silver screws. Completes the circuit by sending electricity back to the breaker box.
Ground wire (bare copper or green): Attaches to the green grounding screw. Absorbs electricity in the event of a ground fault.
What’s the purpose of neutral wires?
Neutral wires carry energy back to the electrical panel to complete the circuit in your home’s electrical system.
What happens if you have no neutral wire?
If you’re missing the neutral wire in an outlet, there’s a good chance the devices using that outlet won’t function correctly. When they do work, you could be at risk of overheating or electrical fires. That’s because voltage can quickly accumulate when it can’t return to the source, creating the potential for a dangerous situation.
Is the neutral wire the same as the ground wire?
The neutral wire is a fundamental component of everyday energy operations, as it constantly carries power back to your main power hub to then cycle back through the system. On the other hand, the ground wire only carries an electrical charge when a fault occurs, such as a power surge. In most cases, ground wires are bare, exposed copper, but some may have green insulation on the outside.
How to locate neutral wires
The process of locating your neutral wire is simple when you know what to look for. Before you get started, grab the necessary equipment, including a flathead screwdriver, a Phillips-head screwdriver, and a multimeter.
Here’s how to find the neutral wire in your electrical system:
1. Cut power to the switch
Step one in any electrical work is to ensure your safety by cutting off the power to the area at the electrical panel. Then, test the switch to make sure the light or connected device doesn’t turn on.
2. Open the switch electrical box
Use a screwdriver to remove the faceplate from the box, and then unscrew the top and bottom screws holding the switch in place. As you pull the switch away from the wall, avoid touching any wires or terminal screws. Use a handheld voltmeter or multimeter to ensure no energy is flowing through the wires.
3. Look for a white wire
A standard outlet or switch box should include two black or red (hot) wires, two white (neutral) wires, and a single ground wire (exposed copper or green). Some light switch brands don’t require a neutral wire, so the white lines may be capped with a wire connector.
What to do if you don’t have a neutral wire
In some cases, the neutral wire may be missing from your electrical box. Here are a couple of things to consider when you encounter this situation:
Get a professional installation
If you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for in your outlet or switch box, it might be best to call in the professionals. There’s a chance that the previous tenant or homeowner attempted to DIY electrical work and left you with a mess. A qualified electrician can make sense of your wiring and safely troubleshoot any connection issues you may have.
Use a smart switch that doesn’t require neutral wires
Many smart switches and dimmer switches don’t utilize the neutral wire in the receptacle. If you’re confident that your home’s electrical wiring is correct and the lack of a neutral wire doesn’t signal a dangerous problem, you can install a smart switch in place of a standard light switch. Just be sure to read the product details thoroughly before installation.
Get in touch with the team at Young Cardinal for all your electrical needs!
At Young Cardinal Electric, we’re more than happy to help our customers safely troubleshoot electrical issues big and small. From identifying shoddy work and missing neutral wires to installing charging stations for electric vehicles, we do it all.
Contact us today to learn more about our commercial and residential services!