In home electrical circuits, the live and neutral wires are essential. In all single-phase circuits, the live and neutral wires must be the same thickness. The following article will explain why the live and neutral wires are the same thickness in home electrical circuits.
Single-phase electricity uses one of the three phases as the live wire, separating the neutral wire from the PEN wire, and forming a loop between the live and neutral wires to transmit electrical energy. Residents also include a ground wire to prevent leakage.
It can be seen that the live and neutral wires in a single-phase circuit perform the same function: to transmit electrical energy. Although alternating current (AC) has no positive or negative polarity, Jinhuanyu Wire and Cable Co., Ltd. believes that the live and neutral wires are like the positive and negative poles of direct current (DC).
Furthermore, the live and neutral wires in the same circuit transmit the same electrical energy. For example, when an appliance is operating, the current flowing through the live wire is 20A, so the current flowing through the neutral wire is also 20A.
For example, the live wire of a home outlet circuit uses 4 square copper wire, which has a safe current of 25A. However, the neutral wire of this outlet circuit uses 2.5 square copper wire, which has a safe current of 19A. If the current flowing in the circuit is 19A or less, there will be no problem. However, if the current flowing in the circuit is 20A to 25A, the 2.5 square neutral wire will be overloaded and burn out over time, causing a fire. (The above data is for reference only.)
Common home wiring schemes:
I won't introduce this wiring scheme here, as it generally works well. I recommend choosing BV2.5 square copper wire as the main wiring for lighting circuits. It is recommended to use BV2.5 square copper wire for general socket circuits; it is recommended to use BV2.5 square copper wire for bedroom wall-mounted air-conditioning socket circuits; it is recommended that you choose BV4 square copper wire as the living room cabinet air-conditioning socket circuit; it is recommended that you choose BV4 square copper wire as the kitchen socket circuit; it is recommended to use BV4 square copper wire for the bathroom socket circuit; it is recommended that the electric water heater have a separate circuit, and the water heater socket circuit use BV4 square copper wire.
