How to determine where the phase and zero. Simple and complex ways to determine phase, zero and ground. Search for phase and zero by control

Any person doing electrical work at home or simply deciding to install a chandelier, sconce or connect an outlet will definitely come across the question - how to determine the phase, zero and ground at the wires at the installation site?

In our articles and instructions, we often lay out connection diagrams, rules for installing and connecting electrical equipment to the network, and much more, where in order to perform all operations correctly, you need to know where the phase wire is, where is the zero (working zero), and where is the ground (protective zero). For an experienced electrician, determining where the phase and zero or finding the ground is usually not difficult, but what about the rest?
Let's try to figure out how at home, without having complex specialized measuring tools and electronic devices, to determine for ourselves where the phase is, where is zero, and where is the ground in the wiring.
Of all the known methods, the simplest determination of the phase and zero, we have selected the most, in our opinion, available in implementation and at the same time safe. For this reason, in the article you will not see advice - how to find the phase with the help of potatoes or calls for a short-term touch of the wires with various parts of the body.
In fact, there are not so many options for determining the phase, zero or ground, for example, in a socket, without the use of specialized equipment, and sometimes, depending on your goals and objectives, it is enough just to know the color marking standard for electrical wires adopted by us to distinguish them.
Wire marking by color
Really, the easiest way to determine the phase, zero and ground of an electrical wire is to look at the color coding and compare with the accepted standard. Each core in modern wires used in electrical wiring, as well as electrical equipment, has an individual color. Knowing which color of the cores corresponds to which function (phase, zero or ground), you can easily perform further installation.
Quite often, this is quite enough, especially in cases where the installation is carried out in new buildings or places with fairly new electrical wiring, made by professional, competent electricians according to all modern rules and standards.
In our country, as in Europe as a whole, the IEC 60446 standard of 2004 is in force, which strictly regulates the color marking of electrical wires.
According to this standard for an apartment electrical network:
Working zero (neutral or zero) - Blue wire or blue-white
Protective Zero (earth or ground) - yellow-green wire
Phase – All other colors including black, white, brown, red, etc.

Now, knowing the wire color code standard, you can easily determine which wire performs which function. This applies to most cases, with the exception of wires suitable for switches, switches, etc., due to a fundamentally different scheme of operation of this electrical equipment.
If you are not sure about the exact correspondence of the colors of the wire cores to the IEC 60446 2004 standard, you have old wiring, you do not exclude the possibility of errors or even negligent attitude of electricians to their work, or maybe electricians laid wires of a different standard and, accordingly, a different color marking, then we proceed to a practical method for determining the phase and zero (working and protective).

HOW TO DEFINE THE PHASE, ZERO and GROUND AT THE WIRES YOURSELF

So let's start in order:

PHASE DETECTION

For greater convenience, it is always better to determine which of the available wires is the phase first.

PHASE DETERMINATION WITH INDICATOR SCREWDRIVER

The easiest way to find a phase wire is to search with an indicator screwdriver. This simplest tool should be in any home electrician in an apartment - whether it's a complete electrical installation, a simple replacement of lamps or the installation of lamps, sockets and switches.
The principle of operation of an indicator screwdriver is simple - when the tip of the screwdriver touches a live conductor and at the same time touches the contact, on the back of the screwdriver, with a finger, the indicator lamp in the tool body lights up, which signals the presence of voltage. Thus, you can easily find out which wire is phase.

The principle of operation of the indicator screwdriver is simple - inside the indicator screwdriver there is a lamp and resistance (resistor), when the circuit is closed (we touch the rear contact), the lamp lights up. Resistance protects us from electric shock, it reduces the current to a minimum, safe level.
This option for determining the phase on your own is the most preferable and we recommend using it, especially since the cost of an indicator screwdriver is more than affordable. The main disadvantage of this method is the likelihood of erroneous operation, when the indicator screwdriver, reacting to interference, determines the presence of voltage where it is not.

DETERMINATION OF PHASE, ZERO AND GROUND BY PILOT LAMP

Another way that you can determine the phase, neutral and ground wires in a modern three-wire electrical network is to use a test lamp. The method is ambiguous, but effective, requiring special care.
To begin the determination, it is first necessary to assemble the test lamp device itself. The easiest way is to use a cartridge with a lamp screwed into it, and fix the wires with the insulation removed at the ends in the terminals of the cartridge. If there is no electric cartridge at hand or there is no time to make something, you can use an ordinary table lamp with an electric plug.

The technology for determining the phase, zeros and grounds using a test lamp is as simple as possible - connecting the lamp wires to the wires that need to be determined in turn, each with each.

Determine phase and zero from two wires

If a control lamp detects a phase wire among two wires, you can only find out whether there is a phase or not, and which of the phase conductors cannot be determined. If, when connecting the wires of the control lamp to the conductors being determined, it lights up, then one of the wires is phase, and the second is most likely zero. If it does not light up, then most likely there is no phase among them, or there is no zero, which also cannot be ruled out.
In this way, rather, it is more convenient to check the operability of the wiring and the correctness of its installation. It is better to determine the phase with an indicator screwdriver, but to recognize the presence of zero in this way.

In this case, you can determine the phase wire by connecting one of the ends coming from the control lamp to a known zero (for example, to the corresponding terminal in the electrical panel), then when the second end touches the phase conductor, the lamp will light up. The remaining wire, respectively, is zero.

Find phase, zero and ground from three wires:

In such a three-wire system, it is often possible to accurately determine the phase, neutral and ground wires with a test lamp.
We connect the contacts coming from the control lamp in turn to the cores of the cable that needs to be determined.
We act by elimination method:

We find the position in which the lamp is on, this will mean that one of the wires is phase and the other is zero.

Then we change the position of one of the contacts of the control lamp, then several options are possible:
- If the lamp does not light up (if there is an RCD or a differential circuit breaker of the line being tested, they can also work), then the remaining free wire is PHASE, and the tested ZERO and EARTH.

If, after changing the position, the lamp flashes for a short time, the RCD or differential will immediately work. the machine (if any), then the remaining free wire is ZERO, and the tested ones are PHASE and GROUND.
- If the line is not protected by a residual current device (RCD) or differential machine, and the light will burn in two positions. In this case, you can find out which wire is working zero (zero), and which is protective (grounding), by simply disconnecting the input cable from the ground terminal in the power metering and distribution panel. After that, also check all the wires with a test lamp and, again by the elimination method, in the position when the lamp is off, identify the ground conductor.

As you can see, in different situations, with different wiring diagrams implemented in the apartment, the methods and methods for determining zero, phase and ground change. If you encounter a situation that is not described in this article, be sure to write in the comments to the article, we will try to help you.
And if you know more, simple ways of how to determine the phase, zero and ground at home, without a specialized tool, write in the comments. The article will be updated for sure. The main requirement for the methods of determination is simplicity, the ability to get by in the search with only improvised, household tools available to many.

When installing electrical equipment, for example, connecting fixtures and fixing switches, it is often necessary to solve the problem of how to determine the phase and zero. The easiest way to determine, which is suitable for any user, is the method of detecting the presence of current using an indicator screwdriver. At first glance, it is the same as the usual one, it has a metal sting and a handle. In addition, there is a small metal button and a light bulb.

Professional electricians, as a rule, bring current to the socket on the left side, and in the center of the lamp socket. But to be sure of this, you need to act as follows.

Instructions for use

When using this device, one must be very careful, because if safety measures are not followed, an electric shock can be obtained. Under no circumstances should the open, uninsulated tip of an indicator screwdriver be touched.

The line on which work is being carried out must be powered, but consumers of electricity (computers, TVs, etc.) must be turned off.

There is a very simple way to find the phase and zero with an indicator screwdriver. To do this, place it on the surface to be checked and press the button located on the handle. If the indicator is on, then this is a power wire. If the sting is placed on the surface to be checked and after pressing the button you see that the light on the handle is off, then this is zero. Such a simple action can be used during electrical work. Using this method, you can learn how to determine the phase in the outlet, machine and cartridge.

Alternative Tester Method

To find the desired element, you can use a multimeter. In order to check where the desired conductor is located with the tester, you first need to switch it to AC measurement mode. To do this, turn the control knob to the position opposite which the V~ sign will be indicated. This sign is on every multimeter. Then there are two possible ways.

· For or the machine, you need to clamp one probe with your fingers, and bring the other probe to the contacts of the circuit breaker. If we see a slight voltage on the indicator, for example, 4.15, then this indicates that there is zero. If the readings are close to 200 volts, this indicates that this contact is power.

The second option is that one probe of the device must be placed on a deliberately grounded object, and the second, as in the first method, touch the element. If the device shows a slight voltage, for example, 0.15, then this means that the contact is zero, and the readings of the device are slightly pickup of the tester itself. As in the first variant, sensor readings close to 220–230 V indicate the presence of power.

Determining the purpose of wires by color

Insulation of power conductor, grounding, etc. dyed in certain colors. According to the European Union Standard IEC 60445 of 2010, wires with power supply must be colored brown, black, gray. Blue insulation indicates conductors with zero. Grounding is painted in a two-color green-yellow winding. In addition, the Standard prohibits the use of grounding only in yellow or only in green. In Russia, GOST 50462 of 2009 is common, which almost fully complies with the European Standard and according to which staining is carried out in the same way. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that it is not the best solution to search for the presence of voltage only by color coding, as electricians can make connections in different ways.

Application of a pilot lamp

A control lamp is a simple incandescent lamp to which two insulated wires of several centimeters each are attached. One end of the wire should touch the heating radiator or pipeline, and the other end should touch the area to be checked. Let's see how to determine the phase. It is located where the light came on during this procedure. It must be understood that this method is quite dangerous due to the high probability of electric shock.

Many people think that it is easy to find the phase without special devices. But in fact, the use of improvised means is dangerous, with them you can easily lose your life. Be sure to use devices - albeit simple ones. It is enough to purchase the simplest power indicator, which is not at all expensive.

13.06.2019

If it becomes necessary to determine the zero and phase core, suitable devices may not always be nearby. Conductors can be identified using improvised means, but it is necessary to strictly follow the safety rules when handling electric current.

By wire color

You can find out the purpose of the core by the color of its insulation. There is a standard for color marking conductors. Neutral wires are usually denoted in blue or blue. Grounding can be found by the green color of the insulating material. However, here it is also permissible to use yellow markings or a combination of green and yellow colors.

With a phase wire, the situation is more difficult. The palette of shades of its designation is quite wide:

white;
black;
red;
brown;
grey;
orange;
pink;
purple.

There are even phases of turquoise color. In this case, you should be very careful not to accidentally confuse it with green ground or blue zero.

Strictly speaking, determining by the color of the insulation is not the most reliable way. Therefore, experts often call it conditional. Firstly, color marking is far from always found - for example, in old buildings they used exclusively white insulation for all cables. Secondly, electricians themselves often neglect the established marking rules, connecting to the system those wires that are at hand.

Test light bulb

It is worth mentioning right away that this method of verification is very dangerous. All manipulations are recommended to be carried out taking into account safety rules and only with rubber gloves.

The control lamp is made independently. For this you need the following materials:

an ordinary incandescent lamp with a cartridge in working condition;
2 stranded wires, about half a meter long.

The cores are attached to different sockets of the cartridge. One wire is connected to a metal object, and the other to a core that needs to be identified.

Determining the result of such a check is very simple.

If the light bulb lights up, it means that the phase lived, if the reaction did not occur, it is zero.

By the way, if you don’t have a regular light bulb at hand, you can just as well check with a neon lamp.

Folk way

There is also a popular way to identify the zero and phase conductors. Despite the fact that some experts treat it rather sarcastically, this method works quite effectively.

You will need the following items to define:

2 stranded wires, about half a meter long;
1 MΩ resistor;
large potato.

The test circuit resembles the phase identification on a control light. One end of the wire is attached to the metal (often heating or water pipes are used), the other is tightly adjacent to the potato cut along. The second conductor is also adjacent to the vegetable, and its other end is connected to the resistor and the core of interest.

It is very important that the wires in the potato are as far apart as possible.

The result of the study will have to wait about 10 minutes. Upon contact with the phase, the pulp of the vegetable will darken, and in the case of zero, it will remain unchanged.

You can check the purpose of the conductor using improvised means. But such methods are far from safe. Therefore, they should be used only in extreme cases. Better yet, get a special indicator screwdriver.

Chapter:

Simple ways to determine phase and zero without instruments: 14 comments

Yuri
Text from the article The veins are attached to different sockets of the cartridge. One wire is connected to a metal object, and the other to a core that needs to be identified. My actions, I connect one wire to a metal object (for example, a nail or a ladle, or a dinner fork, it is also made of iron)
The author study the PUE iPTEE the use of controls is prohibited
Alexander
Determine phase and zero? Elementary Watson; no utensils or potatoes needed! The test is carried out - under voltage (!!!). I share my own experience: you just take an ordinary screwdriver more authentic, contact it with the wire of interest, holding the handle of the screwdriver with one hand, with the other hand - with the back of a dry (!) Hand (fingers) - run along its metal part. If this is a phase, then the hand feels “rubbing” on the screwdriver; if “friction” is not felt, the wire is zero. The effect of "friction" - from alternating current 50Hz. (!!!)Of course, at the same time, you must be in some kind of dry shoes so as not to come into contact with the floor (ground). And - may the holy Om bless you!
Henry
Especially for the author of this publication, a personal recommendation is to check the phase for the language. For more precise control, stand barefoot in a puddle of salt water. Attention!!! this is black humor, the recommendation is deadly!!! The color marking of wires is like a zebra at a pedestrian crossing, the driver is obliged to slow down, but does everyone slow down ??? The so-called control lamp cannot always show the presence of a phase. As well as the indicator screwdriver. And for everyone else: don't experiment with dangerous things you don't understand. To control the voltage, there are conventional devices: voltmeters, testers, multimeters. Well, if you don’t have a device at home (then most likely you don’t have experience either), then it’s better to invite an electrician from the Housing Office. Well, or another professional master. People have been gaining experience for years, and then the author came and spread everything on his fingers. Moreover, all people have teeth, but even I don’t see articles on the net on how to fill a tooth at home, or how to remove a child’s appendix before an ambulance arrives
Nicholas
If you don’t have anything from a power tool that allows you to distinguish phase from zero, then you are most likely not an electrician, and therefore you shouldn’t try to figure something out at all ... Call a professional and he will solve your problems and possibly extend your life ...
And all this advice is complete and irresponsible nonsense.
Michael
Never do as advised in the article. At best, you will be electrocuted. At worst, fire and death! Get an indicator screwdriver. It costs a penny, but it will save a lot. And the best thing is to call a specialist.
Ivan
The author should be sent to 8th grade. And if he gets his bulb into 2 phases, for example, when a three-phase motor rings, he will be left without eyes. It is necessary to put 2 bulbs of 220 V in the probe, connected in series. And it is desirable to place this probe in a plastic transparent box, or plastic, but with holes. Yes, they will shine less brightly, but safely. And I didn’t even read about nonsense with potatoes. DARKNESS.
Anatoly
Great ways! We should see how you cope with the control in a wooden house without running water and with stove heating
zuruukuk
was it worth it to fence? Everyone should have a penny indicator and more than one! a specialist has one for anyone, and not a non-fua specialist to experiment!
Pavel
Likes in any way. Nonsense with a diode. If you do not have an avometer at hand, then there will definitely not be a 1 MΩ resistor. Ilyich's light bulb and wire is the most proven and reliable way. In principle, any electrical appliance is suitable for testing. But not a potato with a resistor for sure. minus 100 likes per post.
Dmitry
It is very important to emphasize!
If any of the listed tests did not show voltage on the core, this does not give 100% certainty that this core is zero!
There can be many reasons for the lack of readings (for example, a break in one of the two half-meter pieces of wire, or poor contact, etc. Conclusion:
Only a test for the PRESENCE of voltage gives a 100% guarantee that this conductor is PHASE. The test for the ZERO wire does not give such a guarantee!
NNK_RTR
I am an electrician (45 years of experience and lived to retire).
It happens that there is no device at hand to check the presence of a phase (and voltage in general)
Method 1: you take the screwdriver with your right hand by the non-conductive handle, touch the tip of the screwdriver with the inside of your index finger, so that when you clench your fist, the finger slips off the tip of the screwdriver. then, alternately touch the wires. The danger of the method depends on the room, floors in the room and shoes. If dry wooden floors, then the method will not work. If the floors are concrete and damp, it will work, only you will no longer be interested in the result.
Method 2: the insulation is removed from the ends of the stranded wire (wire length 1 - 2 meters). Closer to one of the ends, the insulation is removed from the surface of the wire and all the cores are removed, except for one (a fuse is obtained). A nail is hammered into the wall, to which the end, which is closer to the fuse, is screwed. With the other end of the wire, alternately touch the wires. The presence of a phase is determined by a spark. If it is not possible to hammer in a nail, then we are looking for something nearby that is connected with the ground (water pipe, sewerage, grate on the windows, a radiator, fittings in the wall ...). We repeat the steps described in the first method. If the contact with the ground is good, then the fuse will blow (or the standard protection will be knocked out. (Do not forget that the spark can be powerful. When you first touch the wire, close your eyes, If there was no “bang”, then look at the spark (is it there or not )
Valentine
The easiest way is to lick your finger and touch all the wires one by one. Where the phase is, it should splinter a little. (This method does not work if you are standing with wet feet in a puddle)

When installing the electrical wiring of premises, connecting sockets, switches and light sources, the question of correctly determining the purpose of the wires always arises. In apartments, the wiring is single-phase, the wires in it are assigned as phase and zero. Therefore, the question of how to determine the phase and zero of the electrical wiring of the premises is a priority for both minor and major repairs.

The principles of electrical networks in the apartment

Electrical wiring entering an apartment building is most often three-phase. This means that she has three line voltages, shifted relative to each other by 120 degrees, and a neutral wire, relative to which the voltage of each of the phases is applied. The voltage between the neutral wire and the phase (phase voltage) is 220 V. The potential difference between the two phase wires (linear) is √3 times greater and is equal to 380 V.

Each apartment has one phase wire and one zero. In houses with old electrical wiring, this was limited. The new standards also require a ground line. Therefore, two-wire and three-wire apartment electrical networks differ.

The most difficult and dangerous place in the electrical wiring of the premises is the shield at the entrance to the house. In it, the phase wires are divided into apartments and automatic machines are installed that turn off the power supply when the current is exceeded (possible short circuit). The machines are divided into groups corresponding to the power consumption of electrical appliances.

When repairing or installing house wiring, you need to know the rules for connecting sockets and switches. The power wires are connected to the socket in any order, and the grounding conductor is connected to the brass bus. Switch same installed in the break of the phase line, and zero comes directly to the lighting equipment through the junction box.

Such a system ensures safety when working with electricity. Electrical appliances must be connected in accordance with their installation instructions and wire markings, as this will ensure safe use.

Tools for the job

For safe and proper work, you need to choose a set of fixtures and tools. It is used to find and prepare wiring.

Multimeter (analogue or digital);
indicator screwdriver;
Pliers;
Stationery knife (any sharp);
Insulating tape.

A knife is used to strip contacts, a multimeter and a screwdriver are used to determine the phase, electrical tape is used to insulate and indicate contacts. For safety, you should also use rubber insulation on the handles of the pliers and non-conductive shoes.

How to distinguish by appearance

You can find out which wires run in a particular apartment by their appearance. Knowing how to determine the phase and zero without instruments is necessary if both of the indicating instruments are missing. Wires can be distinguished by the color of their insulation. But this method is applicable only when electrical wiring is made in compliance with all the rules of its laying. The yellow-green color of the insulation indicates that this conductor is a grounding conductor. Light blue or blue indicates that the wire is zero, and brown, white or black indicates a phase line.

But even if you are sure about the color of the wiring, it is better to double-check it with an indicator screwdriver or a multimeter, since an incorrect connection is fraught with electrical injury.

Definition of zero and phase

In order not to confuse the zero and phase on the switch, or when carrying out other electrical work, you need to use special phase-indicating tools or probes. The easiest way is to use an indicator screwdriver.

Indicator screwdriver

To know how to determine the phase and zero with an indicator screwdriver, you need to understand the principle of its operation. It is configured in such a way that internal neon lamp lights up when a potential difference occurs between the working contact of the screwdriver and the metal terminal at the end of its handle. To correctly indicate the phase with a screwdriver, you need to follow simple steps:

Disconnect the power from the mains automatically;
Strip the ends of the tested conductors and spread them to a safe distance;
Apply power to the mains;
Touch the tip of the probe to the end of the conductor under test;
With your finger, press the metal lead at the end of the screwdriver handle; touching the tip of the screwdriver during operation is prohibited;
If the phase is being tested, the light inside the probe should light up.

In addition to the usual indicator, there is a screwdriver for continuity. It differs in that it incorporates batteries and indicates the phase without touching its opposite metal end with a finger. Also there is an indicator screwdriver with the function of detecting hidden wiring. She can determine where the electrical network of the apartment passes inside the wall. It uses a non-contact method of determining the electromagnetic field that occurs around the conductor.

To use a screwdriver, you need to remove the cap from it, which will bring it into working condition and hold it in the place of the intended location of the electrical wiring. If a wire is present in the screwdriver handle, the indicator lamp will light up.

Pilot lamp

Another way to determine the phase and zero without instruments is to make a test lamp. Such an indicator is created simply: you need to solder wires of sufficient length to the terminals of the cartridge and screw an incandescent or neon lamp into it. One of the conclusions of such a phase determiner is connected to the battery, and the second you can check the presence of the supply voltage in the network. To do this, the stripped end of the wire must touch the conductor under test. If this is a phase, the lamp should flash. This method is very dangerous, so it should be used only in exceptional cases, besides, it is prohibited by the Rules for the Safe Operation of Electrical Installations.

Measuring with a multimeter

In the absence of an indicator screwdriver and for more accurate measurements of the supply voltage, a multimeter is used, it is also called a tester. With it, you can determine the phase, neutral and ground conductor in a three-wire network. The fact is that an indicator screwdriver can only show large differences in potentials, that is, it only shows the phase. The multimeter works with different signals: high and low, positive and negative. Its task is to show the parameters of the electrical circuit.

To learn how to find the phase and zero with a multimeter, as well as the ground wire, you need to properly configure and connect this measuring device. It is done like this:

Install the black probe of the multimeter into the socket marked COM, and the red probe into the socket marked U, Ω, Hz;
Use the knob on the front panel to select the AC measurement mode, the measurement limit is greater than 220 V.

After setting, you need to simultaneously touch the two ends of the probes to the two test leads. Value on the multimeter screen:

More than 100 V - phase and zero are found;
More than 160 V - phase and ground line found;
Less than 70 V is zero and ground.

By testing all three lines in this way, it is possible to determine with certainty where the desired potential is present.

An easier way to determine the phase with a multimeter is to use the probe installed in the U, Ω, Hz hole to touch all ends of the mains in turn. In case of contact with the phase With a conductor, the multimeter will show a voltage of 8 -15 V. In other cases, the readings will be at the level of 0 - 3 volts. Use the multimeter with caution, using insulating shoes and never touch the ends of the probes without insulation with your hands.

During any work with electrical wiring, safety precautions must be observed, that is, de-energize the room during the installation and repair of electricians, and during the performance test with the machine turned on, provide yourself with reliable insulation protection.

Carrying out repair work in any room, an important point is to equip this room with electricity. In addition to electrical wiring, do not forget about the need to install sockets and switches, with which the lighting will be regulated. Here, a rather important point will be the determination of the phase, zero and grounding conductor of the system.

For professional installers, this task is very simple, which cannot be said about ordinary people who are far from always able to cope with such a task. However, the search for zero and phase is not as complicated as it might seem initially, and it includes several ways to determine.

It should be understood that the wiring in the apartment usually has a voltage of 220V, since it provides for connection to the neutral conductor and to one of the phases. At the same time, grounding is mandatory, which makes the electrification of the room safe for the inhabitants.

What is phase and zero in electricity for a beginner

To catch the principle of finding the phase and zero in the network, you should first determine for yourself what these terms mean, which for a simple layman may sound like completely incomprehensible concepts. Any system, regardless of its length, consists of three phases, and it also applies to low-voltage lines, the task of which is to power residential buildings.

Between any two phases there is a linear voltage of 380V. However, the voltage of the household network is 220V, the main task is the appearance of the voltage required for the network. For this purpose, in any network there is a neutral wire, which, in combination with any phase, forms a potential difference of 200V, which will be the phase voltage.

Zero in an electrical circuit is a conductor that is connected to the ground loop and is used to create a phase load. This phase is connected to the opposite end of the winding on the transformer substation. Thus, in a standard outlet, for clarity, one input is taken as phase, and the second as zero.

In simpler terms, a phase is a wire through which current flows. The neutral wire returns the current back to the source. Depending on the number of phases, the system has several wires. Let's say in a three-phase circuit there are three phase wires and one return, zero.

Color designation. It is not uncommon for many to be interested in the question of what color the wires are, phase zero ground, how to determine where which wire is, often made possible with the help of color distinctions used in electrics. However, this method will work only if the posting is really done according to all the rules. The insulation of the neutral wire is usually indicated in blue or blue, the earth combines two colors at once - green and yellow. The phase wire according to the rules is designated in brown, white or black.

Designation of phase and zero letters. In addition to color coding, letter marking of wires is also possible. The phase is usually denoted by the Latin letter “L” and the neutral wire is usually marked with the letter “N”. In addition, grounding has its own designation, which is usually denoted by the letter “G”.

How to determine the phase and zero with an indicator screwdriver

Various tools can be used to find the phase and zero in the network. The most successful invention to help novice electricians is an indicator screwdriver, which has special sensitive elements and a reflective indicator.

It is easy to check the phase and zero in the network with a screwdriver. The screwdriver should be clamped between the thumb and middle finger. It is not allowed to touch the non-insulated part of the screwdriver tip. The index finger should be placed on the metal round protrusion at the end of the handle.

It is not difficult to determine the principle of operation of an indicator screwdriver; inside it is a special lamp, as well as a resistor, which is a resistance. The lamp lights up if the circuit closes. Thanks to the resistance, you can not be afraid of electric shock during the test, since it reduces its value to a minimum.

How to find out where the phase is and where the zero is in the socket with an indicator probe video

Finding zero with such a screwdriver, respectively, will not work. In addition, this method often fails due to not very good sensitivity. As a result, an indicator screwdriver, reacting to pickups, can give out voltage where it is completely absent.

Determination of phase and zero with a multimeter

In addition to using an indicator screwdriver, it is possible to use a multimeter, which will also allow you to determine the current-carrying wires in the network. A prerequisite for its use is the preliminary stripping of wires.

On the device, before use, it is required to set the value of the measurement limit for alternating current, the value of which must exceed 220V. You should also be guided by the marking of the sockets where the probes of the device are included. This type of test will require a probe plugged into the socket marked "V".

The test itself consists in touching the probe to one of the wires, while monitoring the readings of the device. If the multimeter identifies any voltage, then this wire is phase. If the other wire shows a zero value, then this, respectively, is the neutral wire.

The device for work can be used of any type - pointer or with a digital indicator. In any case, the important point will be the observance of safety measures, as well as the correct indication by the device of readings from the wires. The accuracy of this device is usually higher than the indicator screwdriver.

The main rule when using a multimeter is the prohibition of simultaneous contact with the phase wire and the ground loop. Such negligence can lead to a short circuit and, as a result, to traumatic burns.

How to find phase and zero without instruments

Despite such a wide distribution of instrumental methods for determining the phase and zero in the network, it is not always possible to have the right device at hand that will allow you to make the right conclusion. At the same time, incorrect detection of wires in the network “by eye” can lead to quite dangerous consequences.

The first method to cope with this task was described in one of the sections above. It consists in finding the wires, depending on the color of their insulation, as well as on the marking. However, this will only be true if the posting was done in accordance with all the rules.

The second way to identify them is to make a so-called control light, while using improvised means. This will require a simple incandescent lamp and two pieces of wire, about 50 centimeters long. The cores of the wires should be connected to the light bulb, while the second end of one of the wires should touch the heating pipes (stripped), and the second end should touch the “ringing” wires. The wire, when touched, which lights up the light, is phase.

Phase detection without indicator and video device

It is worth noting that the described method is very dangerous and can lead to electric shock during its use. In no case is it recommended to use it in case of limiting voltage in the network, and you should also not touch bare wires.

An alternative to an incandescent bulb can be a neon bulb, which will allow you to find the polarity of the system.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the answer to the question "how to determine the phase and zero" has several solutions. Namely: an indicator screwdriver, a multimeter, and it is also possible without devices. It all depends on the capabilities and availability of tools at hand. It is mandatory to comply with all safety measures when working with electricity.

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