Burnt neutrals

[Jonspark]

Why is it always the neutral that overheats on shower pull switches? I've never seen a burnt live conductor.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Theory: people habitually wire the line first, and don't pay as much attention to torquing up the neutral screws.

 

[Jonspark]

Theory: people habitually wire the line first, and don't pay as much attention to torquing up the neutral screws.

Thought as much, but it's happened to me twice on my own shower and I've been mindful when tightening them up. Thinking about it, I suppose it can't be any other reason.

 

[Silly Sausage]

It's because the current is hotter after its been through the shower.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Cable manufacturers secretly make the return path cable a little bit smaller. They think no one will notice......

 

[Jonspark]

Cable manufacturers secretly make the return path cable a little bit smaller. They think no one will notice......

That's it. I knew it all along.

 

[a1guvner]

Doesn't blue have higher resistance.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

That's it. I knew it all along.

Ha! Glad you have seen the light, like me. Do you attend the same therapy session as me......

its a good question because I have also witnessed this strange phenomenononomon also.

Always the neutral.

 

[telectrix]

it's all down to electrons. they come all the way from the L supply, race through the installation, heat up your megawatt shower, then they knackered and so are slow on the return trip, spending longer at the N shower terminal for a rest, thereby overheating said N terminall. :smilielol5::smilielol5::smilielol5:

 

[Jonspark]

Or it could be aliens trying to contact us through burning wires

 

[bigdavs83]

Electrons are racist. They don't like any cable that starts with a "BL". More of an issue than Putin in my opinion.

 

[telectrix]

Electrons are racist. They don't like any cable that starts with a "BL". More of an issue than Putin in my opinion.

hmmm. they used to be OK with black. praps it's colours with a ue in them, anti european, like fagash farage.

 

[Jonspark]

For members of the public who are reading this, all but post 5 are bollox.

 

[bigdavs83]

How dare you sir!! ^^^

 

[bigdavs83]

hmmm. they used to be OK with black. praps it's colours with a ue in them, anti european, like fagash farage.

Perhaps they were covert and were just biding their time until the Europeans infiltrated fully. Still worse than Putin

 

[GB.Kayak]

hmmm. they used to be OK with black. praps it's colours with a ue in them, anti european, like fagash farage.

Haven't you sorted out that problem with dyslexia ... that's the EU don't you know. << Banter! No disrespect or belittling of those who struggle with real dyslexia meant in any way shape or form. No dyslexics should be offended by this post ... please?

 

[Corpy76]

Why is it always the neutral that overheats on shower pull switches? I've never seen a burnt live conductor.

I had a burnt live yesterday but I was expecting a neutral.

 

[Guest77]

Why is it always the neutral that overheats on shower pull switches? I've never seen a burnt live conductor.

Consider yourself Dismissed

 

[telectrix]

here's a burnt live.



80A HRC fuse on a 10mm XLPE SWA . i was called out after FB attendance xmas day.

 

[PEG]

Looks like that Christmas lights war,with your neighbour found a loser...:icon12::icon12:

 

[baldsparkies]

Why is it always the neutral that overheats on shower pull switches? I've never seen a burnt live conductor.

I love shower threads so !!

Once current has flowed through a fixed resistance the returning voltage drops.
That drop in voltage creates a back emf that is harmonically amplified by an increase in current.

Now the harmonics become resonant, and over time create mechanical vibration that work the terminal screws loose.
This in turn creates a bad connection producing heat.

So effectively if line and neutral are torqued to equal values, over time it is the neutral that becomes susceptible to a loose connection. :icon12:

 

[Jonspark]

I love shower threads so !!

Once current has flowed through a fixed resistance the returning voltage drops.
That drop in voltage creates a back emf that is harmonically amplified by an increase in current.

Now the harmonics become resonant, and over time create mechanical vibration that work the terminal screws loose.
This in turn creates a bad connection producing heat.

So effectively if line and neutral are torqued to equal values, over time it is the neutral that becomes susceptible to a loose connection. :icon12:

And you win tonight's star prize for the correct answer.

 

[NickD]

Why is it always the neutral that overheats on shower pull switches? I've never seen a burnt live conductor.

Standard R1+R2 testing on a radial carries out no test on the neutral therefore no poor connection in the neutral will ever be picked up. I'm sceptical about this having any kind of statistically significant part to play though.

You have to bear in mind that on AC, if you ignore potential difference to earth, the neutral spends exactly half of its time being the 'live', really

 

[willy fixit]

Ha!

 

[NickD]

Suddenly I could murder a milk chocolate Aero.

 

[cotty]

Ha!

Haemorrhoids on the split ring

 

[Silly Sausage]

Woodchip, I'm getting a 70s flashback!!!

 

[NickD]

Who did the cutting in on that dark coloured wall paint? Awful.

 

[TJ Anderson]

Don't ya just love the insulation tape on the cpc's. Sign of a quality job right there.

 

[stevethesparks]

Next thing will be fire proof accessories - due to poorly terminated cables.:bobby: