Wiktor Wise
In electrical terms, the letter L typically refers to inductance and is often used with a reference number, e.g., L1, L2, and L3, which represent the three legs of a three-phase system. In AC power supply, L can also stand for Live or Line, indicating that the circuit is switched on and carrying voltage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| L in electrical terms | Live or Line |
| L1 and L2 | Line 1 and Line 2 |
| N | Neutral or grounded conductor |
| L and N together | Three-phase, four-wire system |
| L as a standalone symbol | Inductance |
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What You'll Learn
L can stand for 'Live' or 'Line'
In electrical terms, the letter "L" can stand for "Live" or "Line". This is different from "N", which stands for "Neutral". In an AC power supply, L (Live or Line) and N (Neutral) are the two symbols used.
When "L" stands for "Live", it means that the circuit is switched on, and electricity is flowing. "Live" can also be referred to as "Line", which means that the circuit is connected. In this context, "Line" refers to the conductor of an alternating supply, such as the mains power supply or the audio feed to speakers in a public address (PA) system. In a three-phase supply, there will be three lines, labelled L1, L2, and L3.
When "L" stands for "Line", it refers to one of the incoming hot legs of a single-phase, 220V electrical supply, as is typical for residences. In this context, "Line" is used to describe the voltage relative to the ground. L1 and L2 stand for "Line 1" and "Line 2", which are the two hot legs of the electrical supply.
It is important to distinguish between "Line" and "Live" as they have different meanings and applications in electrical engineering. "Line" refers to the physical conductor, while "Live" indicates that the circuit is energised and potentially dangerous.
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N stands for 'Neutral'
N stands for "Neutral". It is a wire that should be connected to the ground and should not "kick". It is one of the most important wires in electrical circuits, alongside the L (Live) wire. Both are needed to supply electrical circuits with alternating current. The N wire is usually blue, while the L wire is brown. In older installations, the L wire may be black.
The neutral wire is connected to the earthed conductive part of the AC main supply. This is to apply for safety agency approval and protect against electric shock by earth fault. The terminal FG also needs to be connected to the earth for further protection from electric shock and noise interference.
In a 2-core cable, you will find the N and L wires. In a 3-core cable, there is an additional wire: PE (Protective Earth), which should be yellow and green. A 4-core cable has an additional black wire, which carries voltage. This type of cable is used for staircase switches or cross switches. Finally, a 5-wire cable has three wires that carry voltage and is used for three-phase installations, such as powering an induction cooktop.
It is important to remember that electricity is dangerous and any changes to electrical installations should be done under the supervision of a qualified person.
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L1 and L2 stand for Line 1 and Line 2
L1 and L2 are adjacent to one another in a three-phase, four-wire distribution system. From a single-pole breaker, L1 and L2 have 120-volt outputs. However, if you plug a two-pole breaker into two slots, you will get 240 outputs.
Since L stands for inductance in electrical terms, L1 and L2 could also refer to inductor 1 and inductor 2.
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L is also used to denote inductance
L is used to denote inductance, which is defined as the ratio of the induced voltage to the rate of change of current causing it. It is a proportionality constant that depends on the geometry of the circuit conductors and the magnetic permeability of the conductor and nearby materials.
The term inductance was coined by Oliver Heaviside in May 1884 as a convenient way to refer to the "coefficient of self-induction". It is customary to use the symbol "L" for inductance, possibly in honour of the physicist Heinrich Lenz, whose name is attached to several areas of physics nomenclature. However, some sources suggest that the letter "L" may have been chosen because coil and capacitor both start with the letter "C", so using "L" in the abbreviation "LC" avoids confusion when referring to a coil-capacitor circuit.
Inductance is a property of a conductor or circuit due to its magnetic field, which tends to oppose changes in current through the circuit. All conductors have some inductance, which can have either desirable or detrimental effects in practical electrical devices. The inductance of a circuit depends on the geometry of the current path and the magnetic permeability of nearby materials. Ferromagnetic materials with higher permeability, such as iron, tend to increase the magnetic field and inductance.
An inductor is an electrical component designed to add inductance to a circuit. It typically consists of a wire wound into a coil or helix, as a coiled wire has a higher inductance than a straight wire of the same length due to the multiple flux linkages. Electromagnetic induction was first described by Michael Faraday in 1831, and he discovered several manifestations of this phenomenon through various experiments.
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L can be used with a reference number, e.g. L1, L2, L3
In electrical engineering, L can be used with a reference number, e.g. L1, L2, and L3, to represent the three legs of a three-phase system. L1 and L2 stand for Line 1 and Line 2, which are the two incoming hot legs of a single-phase, 220V electrical supply commonly found in residences. These lines carry AC 120 volts relative to the ground. The N in this context stands for the neutral or grounded conductor, which is typically connected to earth at the main panel.
In a three-phase four-wire system, incorporating the letter N gives a representation where a voltage can be obtained from each leg to the grounded neutral. The voltage from any of the three legs to neutral is calculated as the leg-to-leg voltage divided by 1.73.
It is important to note that the term "line" in electrical terminology refers to one of the conductors of an alternating supply. In a three-phase supply, there will be three lines denoted as L1, L2, and L3. This alternating supply can be used in various applications, such as the audio feed to speakers in a public address (PA) system, where typical line voltages of 70 or 100 volts are utilised.
The letter "L" in electrical terms also has other meanings. It can represent "Live," indicating that a circuit is active and connected. This is distinct from "dead," which means a circuit is inactive or disconnected. Additionally, the uppercase letter L is used as a symbol for inductance, with the unit of measure being the Henry.
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Frequently asked questions
The letter L in electrical terms stands for Live or Line. It can also be used as a symbol for inductance.
Live means switched on, while Line refers to one of the conductors of an alternating supply.
N stands for Neutral, which is connected to the ground and always has 0V compared to it.
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