I question your statement about a ground bonded natural bar in the sub panel at time stamp 7:33, with a cut or broken neutral. If the neutral bar in the sub panel is bonded to ground, the current will travel through the grounding system back to the main panel and continue through to the main neutral at the main panel, since the main panel is the first panel, were the neutral bar is tied to the grounding system. There would not be any 120 volt potential through the grounding system, the current will travel through to the neutral..
Hey I was wondering something; if electricity needs a return source, what is the return source for a downed powerline that energizes the earth? I understand why lightning doesn’t need a return source because it’s about a positive vs negatively charged area. But I don’t understand why I downed power line doesn’t tend a return source.
I’m a little bit confused by your question. When you say a down powerline doesn’t “need“ return path, I’m not sure that’s worded very well. We set up return paths for properly operating electrical systems. A downed powerline is not a properly operating electrical system. Depending on what that downed powerline is touching, it may or may not have a path. If that down to powerline is sitting on something such as a dry street, for example, that powerline will remain energized, but the electricity will not flow anywhere. If it’s down and sitting in water, then the water is a conductor to a degree so some electricity will flow from the powerline into the water and down to the earth. If the downed powerline is sitting somewhere and someone walks up and touches it, then they are a path for the current to flow.
@@morganinspectionservices3840hey so to restate, basically I was told that even if a system isn’t grounded (no ground rod to neutral etc at transformer and no grounding anywhere ) that if a power line that’s energized comes down and touches the earth, that it would still energize the earth. Now if energize means put the earth that it’s touching at its voltage then that’s surely true right? No matter if it’s soil, gravel, water right? A 120 v line comes down, and it will make the earth 120 v no matter what it’s touching? I’m not saying it will run current yet. Just saying that for instance, if we measure the neutral to the ground, we will get 120 volts right? So that’s the first question. The second question is - let’s forget about voltage. We have this 120 v line touching the ground - let’s say it’s grass or soil or water, is it possible for a current to flow thru the very earth itself if there are no grounding rods or grounding stuff anywhere near by? I ask it this way cuz I’m tryna take away with “return to source” and still see if current would flow thru the earth.
Okay let's say you're using armoured cable with a gland from the main panel that is bonded by the outer sheath wire now when you gland the subpanel you would also earth it. So you just eliminate the outer wire on one of the glands?
Thanks for watching the video and thanks for your question. It sounds like you’re referring to using a cable gland with armored cable for grounding. In the US, we typically rely on a dedicated ground wire in addition to the armored cable sheath to ensure proper grounding as per the national electric code, NEC. Eliminating the ground wire on one end might violate code and safety issues, like ground loops or poor bonding. Local codes can vary so it’s best to follow the standards for your region to ensure safety and compliance. I’m not familiar enough with non-US electrical wiring to be able to answer your question anymore precisely. Thanks again.
Thanks for the video, the animations helped make things finally click for me!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching
This is a really good video! I am very knowledgeable on this stuff and I still found it to educational.
I’m so glad you found the video helpful. I really appreciate you watching and for the comment.
Very informative, thanks for sharing sir!
@@Savage-lx5yj Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Excellent video!
Thank you
I question your statement about a ground bonded natural bar in the sub panel at time stamp 7:33, with a cut or broken neutral. If the neutral bar in the sub panel is bonded to ground, the current will travel through the grounding system back to the main panel and continue through to the main neutral at the main panel, since the main panel is the first panel, were the neutral bar is tied to the grounding system.
There would not be any 120 volt potential through the grounding system, the current will travel through to the neutral..
Hey I was wondering something; if electricity needs a return source, what is the return source for a downed powerline that energizes the earth? I understand why lightning doesn’t need a return source because it’s about a positive vs negatively charged area. But I don’t understand why I downed power line doesn’t tend a return source.
I’m a little bit confused by your question. When you say a down powerline doesn’t “need“ return path, I’m not sure that’s worded very well. We set up return paths for properly operating electrical systems. A downed powerline is not a properly operating electrical system. Depending on what that downed powerline is touching, it may or may not have a path. If that down to powerline is sitting on something such as a dry street, for example, that powerline will remain energized, but the electricity will not flow anywhere. If it’s down and sitting in water, then the water is a conductor to a degree so some electricity will flow from the powerline into the water and down to the earth. If the downed powerline is sitting somewhere and someone walks up and touches it, then they are a path for the current to flow.
@@morganinspectionservices3840hey so to restate, basically I was told that even if a system isn’t grounded (no ground rod to neutral etc at transformer and no grounding anywhere ) that if a power line that’s energized comes down and touches the earth, that it would still energize the earth. Now if energize means put the earth that it’s touching at its voltage then that’s surely true right? No matter if it’s soil, gravel, water right? A 120 v line comes down, and it will make the earth 120 v no matter what it’s touching? I’m not saying it will run current yet. Just saying that for instance, if we measure the neutral to the ground, we will get 120 volts right? So that’s the first question.
The second question is - let’s forget about voltage. We have this 120 v line touching the ground - let’s say it’s grass or soil or water, is it possible for a current to flow thru the very earth itself if there are no grounding rods or grounding stuff anywhere near by? I ask it this way cuz I’m tryna take away with “return to source” and still see if current would flow thru the earth.
Okay let's say you're using armoured cable with a gland from the main panel that is bonded by the outer sheath wire now when you gland the subpanel you would also earth it. So you just eliminate the outer wire on one of the glands?
Thanks for watching the video and thanks for your question. It sounds like you’re referring to using a cable gland with armored cable for grounding. In the US, we typically rely on a dedicated ground wire in addition to the armored cable sheath to ensure proper grounding as per the national electric code, NEC. Eliminating the ground wire on one end might violate code and safety issues, like ground loops or poor bonding. Local codes can vary so it’s best to follow the standards for your region to ensure safety and compliance. I’m not familiar enough with non-US electrical wiring to be able to answer your question anymore precisely. Thanks again.
I like the topic explanation but what i don't like is the video where the grounded conductor is terminated @ the center when it enters the main panel
Thanks for commenting. Can you explain a bit more. I’m not completely following what you’re saying. Thanks.