Why 240v Circuit Has no Neutral? Know How It Works!

Why 240v Circuit Has No Neutral? A 240V circuit typically lacks a neutral wire because it operates on a split-phase electrical system. This system consists of two 120V phases that are 180 degrees out of phase with each other. The voltage between either phase and the neutral is 120V, while the voltage between the two phases is 240V. Since the phases are out of phase, their voltage waveforms never cross the zero point simultaneously, making a neutral unnecessary for voltage supply. Instead, the two phases provide the necessary voltage difference for devices designed to run on 240V.

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[matthewellis]

If I am understanding correctly:
In a split phase sytsem, 120v on each of the 2 phases, they are out of phase from each other 180 degrees. So as one Hertz is leaving, the other phase hertz is returning, therefore balancing out the circuit. I'm still confused as to why the system does not require a neutral to complete the circuit though.

[frankpaya]

So what would happen on a household 240 circuit- if you left the neutral out - just wiring the two Hots to the Appliance?

[vincentpereira]

What about 2 hot wires that is carrying 220v but doesn't have a neutral wire can you connect to a 115v outlet can you tell me how can you do that

[joaquinsuarez]

I need 240 volts for my drier. Have 4 prung outlet and plug (ground, neutral and 2 hots) I am only getting 124 volts on each leg of outlet and on each screw/wire of braker and when combine both legs of 124 volts on either outlet or braker I get 0 volts. Replaced braker and still 0 volts. Any idea why can't get 240 volts?
Should I remove the white/neutral?
Please advise.

[Mbarnstein]

Some 240 volt appliance also have a neutral to power certain 120 volt components within that appliance like a clock and lightbulb on/in the stove top oven range or a drum motor for the laundry dryer for example.

[Cool_Hand_Luke]

I had 240v heater by the door which I removed. Can I hook up 240v to say 20v transformer to power doorbell or video doorbell?
I have 2 110v wires, no neutral)

[felixarteaga]

if its new construction, would you tape it black for a 240 no neutral needed or would you throw a /3 wire to have red and black for phase id even tho no neutral needed? what does code says about this?... to my understanding if you're changing the outlet from 120 to 240 you can tape the white black or red to indicate hot.. but if you're throwing NEW construction wire one should run a /3 wire just in case in the future the appliance may be changed and require a neutral.. what does the code say about this?

I'd REALLY appreciate an answer, you.

[stephaniehenry]

I just bought a motorized spa cover from China and the equipment only has two wires and they're telling me it's 220 volts and the motor is DC24 /12A. I asked is one of the wires neutral and one hot they said yes both is a 220v. How can that be? Im thinking if it needs 220v wouldn't they both be hot to keep the voltage at 220? Otherwise i don't see how double pull 20amp can be wired . Can you explain

[kgosanamahlong]

Please help here i have 3 phase with earth wire i took one phase for control circuit so can i take earth point of motor as neutral

[panemon]

Some idiot who owned my house before me grounded his 240v dryer 3 wire neutral/ground bare copper AWG6 wire to the copper pipes I had.

I put in Pex pipe and lost continuity in the pipes and the neutral became energized when plugged into my dryer, which ended up shocking me. When I restored Bonding jumpers to the grounded waterpipe, it fixed the problem.

There was no current flowing on the bonded neutral, because the two phases were cancelling each other out, is this how this works in this type of branch circuit? I am so confused to why it works like this?

At some point I am going to run a new 10/3 circuit with a 4wire dryer connection with that dedicated ground and do this the right way, but can anyone explain to me why my dryer would not work without a proper ground connection?

If both phase/legs are cancelling each other out, why does the neutral/ground have to be there on the 3 wire connection? Any dryer receptacle experts out there who can explain this to me?

[RB-nmko]

If each 120V are moving in opposite directions, how is an appliance getting 240V at the same time? Thanks

[lightbulb]

When wiring an appliance to a 4 wire outlet, ( red, black, white and ground) does it matter if the red and black wires are switched or should they go to a particular order? I know the ground and white must go to their respective terminals just curious about red and black.

[SilasJura]

You took like 3 min just to get to the point. Could’ve made this a 45 second video

[richranchernot]

This video has many errors. I would not use the content.

[Silvertarian]

they're not 180 degrees out of phase, they're 120 degrees out of phase. Get your shit straight.

[kimkizzermacalam]

Meanwhile, the rest of the world uses 240V, for everything, including low-power devices such as phone chargers, LED light bulbs, fans, etc.. It's just that the US got so used to 120V.