What does neutral refer to in AC electrical systems and its color code?

• A. The return path for current; usually white or gray in US wiring.
• B. A protective earth connection; green.
• C. The live conductor; black.
• D. Ground fault path; blue.

Answer: (A)

Neutral is the return path for current in an AC circuit, carrying current back to the source to complete the circuit. In US wiring, that conductor is color-coded white or gray. It’s bonded to earth ground at the main service panel, which keeps it near earth potential, but it remains a current-carrying conductor and is distinct from protective earth. The protective earth conductor is green (or green-yellow) and provides a safety path for fault currents, without normally carrying current. The live or hot conductor carries the supply voltage and is typically black. Some countries use blue for neutral in their color codes, but in US practice neutral is white or gray.