— in electrical work NEUTRAL and GROUND both seem like the same concept to me. what is the difference???

Question

edit: five year old. we’re looking for something a kid can understand. don’t need full theory with every implication here, just the basic concept.

edit edit: Y’ALL ARE AMAZING!!

In: 4172

Answer 1

Power goes in at HOT, goes out at NEUTRAL. It can also go out on GROUND, but if that happens, something is broken (since GROUND is supposed to be connected to the outside of your device, and cou only want your power inside the devoce, not at the outside). There are devices in the junction box that see if power goes out at GROUND (which it is not supposed to) and emergency-turn off HOT to save you from getting shocked.