I have a very basic understanding of how electricity flows, so apologies in advanced if this is a dumb question. As far as I understand, electricity comes into my house and goes to my devices, and then is returned through the neutral wire to my panel, where it goes to ground.
Why can’t that energy returning from my devices through neutral be used to continue providing power instead of just going to ground?
What I think is the answer (please correct me if I’m wrong): in order for the current to even flow, the circuit needs a path to ground
In: Physics
The electric power comes from the flow. If you put a second device in line with the first, the source of electricity would need to work twice as hard to deliver the expected power. Standard home AC power rapidly alternates the flow and so the electricity you are picturing doesnt really go anywhere.
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