Have you ever come across this AC appliance issue?

[BAD ORCA]

I'm reading an article on AC electricity and it mentions that many household appliances connect the ground and neutral inside the appliance. The article suggests disconnecting them and connecting the ground to the appliance case instead. Reasoning is that bonding them together inside the appliance will introduce AC current onto the ground wire.

This makes sense, but is the first time i have read this before. I have ELCI on board my boat and many AC appliances. I imagine if this was the case then my ELCI would trip constantly. Is this actually done or was it an old practice, or is it only done on some appliances? Little confused about this one.

 

[dlochner]

Is this an article online? Do you have a link.

On a 3 wire appliance the ground should be connected to any metal part, like a metal case, that could be energized by a short. This prevents shocks and would trip an ELCI or a GFCI.

I wonder about the reasoning behind connecting the neutral and ground inside the appliance.

 

[BAD ORCA]

Is this an article online? Do you have a link.

On a 3 wire appliance the ground should be connected to any metal part, like a metal case, that could be energized by a short. This prevents shocks and would trip an ELCI or a GFCI.

I wonder about the reasoning behind connecting the neutral and ground inside the appliance.

https://newboatbuilders.com/pages/electricity9.html

About half way down the page under 'AC Appliances.'

Unfortunately he does not elaborate, only points it out.

This is Chat GPT 4's response:

Bonding of Neutral and Ground in AC Appliances
Whether AC appliances bond the neutral and ground internally depends on the design and function of the appliance. Here’s a breakdown of how this works:
General Practices
1. Appliance Types

• Cord-and-Plug Appliances: Most appliances, like lamps or toasters, with a three-prong plug have the neutral and ground bonded inside. This ensures safety by creating a common reference point.
• Hardwired Appliances: Some larger appliances (like electric ranges or water heaters) also bond neutral to ground internally, especially if they are connected directly to the electrical system without a plug.

2. Grounding Methods

• Proper Grounding: In appliances designed with safety as a priority, the neutral is bonded to the ground at a single point, usually at the appliance chassis.
• Isolation: High-quality electrical codes often require that the grounding system remains separate from the neutral in the appliance’s internal workings, especially to prevent ground loops and ensure safety.

Safety Considerations
1. Circuit Protection

• Bonding facilitates the operation of protective devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses, to interrupt the circuit in case of a fault.

2. Electrical Codes

• Many electrical codes (like the National Electrical Code in the U.S.) specifically regulate when and how appliances should bond neutral and ground. For instance, after the first connection point in the electrical system (usually at the service panel), it is typically required that neutral and ground remain separate to minimize shock hazards.

Conclusion
In summary, while many AC appliances do bond the neutral and ground internally for safety, this practice can vary based on the appliance type and design. Understanding these nuances is important for ensuring compliance with safety standards and promoting safe electrical practices.