— 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

Current flows in a circle (circuit)

Simplified, it must return to the same place it comes from.

The neutral wire is how it’s supposed to return when everything is working normally and correctly.

The ground is there for emergencies when something goes wrong. This prevents the current from finding a return path through something it shouldn’t like your body.

Answer 2

Neutral = return path of the circuit

Ground = fault path of the circuit to prevent injury if a part fails

ELI2

Neutral = good bye bye

Ground = safe bye bye