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In a balanced three phase systems, the current in the neutral conductor is theoretically zero. However in a practical electrical installation, this is not the case. In fact there is always some current flow in the neutral although small if the loads in the three phase are sufficiently balanced. However increasing current will flow through the neutral in an installation with high harmonics necessitating the need to appropriately determine the minimum cross sectional area of the neutral that will be safe for the installation.
Given the implications of under sizing the neutral conductor, the neutral conductor, shall have the same cross section as the line conductor:
1. in single-phase, two-wire circuits whatever the section;
2. in poly-phase and single-phase three-wire circuits, when the size of the line conductors is less than or equal to 16mm2 in copper, or 25mm2 in Aluminium.
The cross section of the neutral conductor can be less than the cross section of the phase conductor when the cross section of the phase conductor is greater than 16mm2 with a copper cable, or 25mm2 with an aluminium cable, if both the following conditions are met:
1. The cross section of the neutral conductor is at least 16mm2 for copper conductors and 25mm2 for aluminium conductors;
2. There is no high harmonic distortion of the load current. If there is high harmonic distortion (the harmonic content, THD, is greater than 10%), as for example in equipment with discharge lamps, the cross section of the neutral conductor cannot be less than the cross section of the phase conductors.
The table below shows the minimum cross sectional area of the neutral conductor in a given electrical installation under different types of circuits:
Type of Circuit
|
Phase Conductor Cross Section, S, (mm2)
|
Minimum Neutral Conductor Cross Section, SN (mm2)
|
Single Phase/Two Phase Circuits - Copper/Aluminium
|
Any
|
S
|
| Three-Phase Circuits - Copper |
S ≤ 16
|
S
|
S > 16
|
16
|
|
| Three - Phase Circuits - Aluminium |
S ≤ 25
|
S
|
S > 25
|
25
|
