Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: puyehue, Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Asked on: Monday, April 11, 2011 at 2:01 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:03 am EDT
Question: [i wrote into another forum and my post was lost and have not heard from admin yet, sorry for cross posting, but need some advice]:i have a 3" conduit with 7 wires (6- 2/0 with one gnd). the run is 250' with one pull box in the middle of the run. 3 wires service a barn, the other 3 were pulled to service another building, but were never used. i am considering pulling these unused wires to use for another project. but i need to know how to trace the neutral wire. i could use an amp meter and tick tracer for the 2 hots, but not sure best way identify the neutral? the wires are not labeled in the pull box - they come up a sweep and are a tight horseshoe back down the new sweep...thanks for your thoughts
Tracing the Neutral Wire
Method 1: Voltage Drop Test Disconnect the power to the circuit. Measure the voltage between each phase conductor (hot wire) and the conduit using a multimeter. The conductor with the lowest voltage reading compared to the conduit is likely the neutral wire.
Method 2: Continuity Test Disconnect the power to the circuit. Use a continuity tester to check for continuity between each phase conductor (hot wire) and the ground wire. The conductor that does not show continuity with the ground wire is likely the neutral wire.
Method 3: Phase Rotation Tester Connect a phase rotation tester to the phase conductors (hot wires). The tester will indicate the phase sequence and identify the neutral wire.
Additional Tips
Use a voltage detector or non-contact tester to ensure the power is off before working on the circuit. Wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves and eye protection. Be cautious when working in tight spaces. If you are unsure about any steps, consult a qualified electrician.
Note: The methods above assume that the wires are properly installed and wired according to code. If there are any discrepancies, the results may not be accurate. Flag for review