Neutral

ShockHazard · Dec 11, 2012

Installed a potters kiln today, 10.5kw, but only split phased (220v).

I have a red and black hot, green ground, but being the device doesn't receive a neutral, should I disregard it or match it to the ground?

What is the general rule of neutral coming in contract with ground?

Why would a 10.5kw device be single phase in the first place?

Jimbo · Dec 11, 2012

dwindle said:
Installed a potters kiln today, 10.5kw, but only split phased (220v).

I have a red and black hot, green ground, but being the device doesn't receive a neutral, should I disregard it or match it to the ground?

What is the general rule of neutral coming in contract with ground?

Why would a 10.5kw device be single phase in the first place?

The pro electricians will answer up. I am pretty sure the neutral should ONLY ever contact ground at the main panel.

Most residences, and small commercial properties, are just wired for single phase 220. Plenty of residences that have for example a 60 amp electric heat air handler, on single phase.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Glennsparky · Dec 11, 2012

Jimbo is correct. Put a small wire nut on the neutral and don't let it come in contact with anything.

JWelectric · Dec 12, 2012

jimbo said:
I am pretty sure the neutral should ONLY ever contact ground at the main panel.

This is very correct my friend

hj · Dec 13, 2012

220/240 v. power is "single phase", not "split phased". If the building only has single phase, then that is how the kiln must be wired. In order to be "three phase" the building would have to be served with three phase power. Then the unit would either need two elements with the "center" leg carrying about 1.75 times the amperage of either element, or multiples of three elements wired so all legs carried the same amperage. Without a 120 v. function the neutral is not needed and should be capped and disregarded.

Jadnashua · Dec 13, 2012

IF the unit has both 120 and 240 functions, it will need the neutral, otherwise, no. Sometimes, like in a stove, there will be a 120vac light, maybe some controls, and possibly a receptacle, so it will need a neutral but the heating elements would be fed from 240vac. No idea on your new kiln whether it needs 120vac and therefore a neutral - it should be clearly spelled out in their installation instructions or be obvious at the junction box where you connect things.

ShockHazard · Dec 16, 2012

jadnashua said:
IF the unit has both 120 and 240 functions, it will need the neutral, otherwise, no. Sometimes, like in a stove, there will be a 120vac light, maybe some controls, and possibly a receptacle, so it will need a neutral but the heating elements would be fed from 240vac. No idea on your new kiln whether it needs 120vac and therefore a neutral - it should be clearly spelled out in their installation instructions or be obvious at the junction box where you connect things.

It does have a low voltage electronic control panel, but I don't know it's input voltage.

___

So, neutral was capped and kiln works fine.

ShockHazard · Dec 16, 2012

hj said:
220/240 v. power is "single phase", not "split phased". If the building only has single phase, then that is how the kiln must be wired. In order to be "three phase" the building would have to be served with three phase power. Then the unit would either need two elements with the "center" leg carrying about 1.75 times the amperage of either element, or multiples of three elements wired so all legs carried the same amperage. Without a 120 v. function the neutral is not needed and should be capped and disregarded.

Maybe I'm using the phrase wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power

Jimbo · Dec 16, 2012

I ( amateur electrical knowledge) have not seen the term split phase used like that. The sparkies will tell us if the industry and/or the electrical code uses that term. Anyway, we are talking about the same thing, whether we call it split or single

ActionDave · Dec 17, 2012

With a few rare exceptions all power in North America is either single phase or three phase.

True Split phase power was part of era when electrical power systems were first designed.

Big2bird · Dec 18, 2012

The only time you will hear split phase is regarding small motors with windings/capacitors that actually split the phase.

Neutral

ShockHazard

New Member

Jimbo

Plumber

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

Glennsparky

New Member

JWelectric

Electrical Contractor/Instructor

hj

Master Plumber

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx

ShockHazard

New Member

ShockHazard

New Member

Jimbo

Plumber

ActionDave

Electrician

Big2bird

IBEW Electrician

Similar threads