What is the function of the neutral conductor in a low-voltage four-core cable?
In four-core cables used in low-voltage power grids, the neutral conductor is a conductor other than the three-phase conductors. Its function is to pass the unbalanced current of the three-phase AC power. A three-core cable with a single conductor acting as the neutral conductor should not be connected to a three-phase, four-wire low-voltage power grid. In this case, some of the three-phase unbalanced current will flow through the three-core cable's armor, heating the armor and reducing the cable's current-carrying capacity.
