In a three-phase electrical system, what is the voltage between neutral and ground as described in practice?

In a three-phase electrical system, what is the voltage between neutral and ground as described in practice?

• A. 0 V
• B. 120 V
• C. 60 V
• D. 240 V

Answer: (A)

Neutral and ground are bonded together at the service equipment, so they share the same electrical reference to earth. Under normal operation this means there is no potential difference between them, so the voltage between neutral and ground is essentially zero. In practice you might see a tiny voltage due to resistance in the neutral path or stray currents, but this does not reflect a meaningful supply voltage. Ground is a safety path and should carry little to no normal current, while neutral carries the return current from loads; bonding them at the service point sets them to the same potential, leading to 0 V between them.

Neutral and ground are bonded together at the service equipment, so they share the same electrical reference to earth. Under normal operation this means there is no potential difference between them, so the voltage between neutral and ground is essentially zero. In practice you might see a tiny voltage due to resistance in the neutral path or stray currents, but this does not reflect a meaningful supply voltage. Ground is a safety path and should carry little to no normal current, while neutral carries the return current from loads; bonding them at the service point sets them to the same potential, leading to 0 V between them.