Traditional 120V Circuit

Traditionally, a 120V circuit consisted of: Hot wire (black) Grounded conductor (white) Ground wire (bare or green)The grounded conductor carries the unbalanced current between the hot wire and ground, providing a return path for excess current."Neutral" in a 120V Circuit

In some contexts, the grounded conductor is referred to as the "neutral" wire. This is because it is typically at or near ground potential, providing a reference point for the circuit.

When a Neutral is Used

A true neutral wire is typically used in: 3-wire circuits

These circuits have two hot wires (120V apart) and a neutral wire (0V relative to ground). The neutral carries the unbalanced current between the two hot wires.*

Multiple-circuit panels

In some electrical panels, multiple 120V circuits may share a neutral wire.

Single-Phase 120V Circuit

However, in a single-phase 120V circuit (such as a typical household circuit), the grounded conductor is not technically a true neutral wire. This is because the circuit only has one hot wire, and therefore there is no unbalanced current to carry.

Conclusion

For a single-phase 120V circuit, the white wire is typically considered a grounded conductor rather than a neutral wire. However, in some contexts, it may be referred to as the neutral, even though it does not fully meet the definition of a neutral wire in a 3-wire circuit. Flag for review