Umair Gaines
In electrical circuits, the letter 'L' is often used to represent an inductor or inductance. However, in AC power supplies, 'L' can also stand for Live or Line, indicating that the wire is carrying an electric current. This is distinct from Neutral (represented by 'N'), which is connected to the ground and typically has a voltage of 0V relative to the ground.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| L in AC power supply | Live or Line |
| N in AC power supply | Neutral |
| L and N symbols | Used to apply for safety agency approval |
| Connection of terminal L | To the unearthed conductive part of the AC main supply |
| Connection of terminal N | To the earthed conductive part of the AC main supply |
| Connection of terminal FG | To the earth to protect from electric shock and noise interference |
| Interchangeability of neutral and line | Not interchangeable for safety reasons |
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What You'll Learn
L can stand for 'Live' in AC power supply
In AC power supply, the symbol L stands for "Live" or "Line". This means that the wire carries the voltage relative to the ground. For example, in a 120vac power supply, the live wire carries 120 volts relative to the ground.
The live wire is also sometimes referred to as the "hot line". This is because it is the wire that carries the current and is capable of delivering an electric shock. For this reason, it is important that the live wire is never connected to the ground, as this could lead to electric shock and injury.
In a typical household AC power supply, the live wire is connected to the unearthed conductive part of the AC main supply. This is usually connected to the earthed conductive part of the AC main supply, which is the neutral wire. The neutral wire is connected to the ground and always has 0V compared to the ground.
It is important to note that the live and neutral wires are not interchangeable. The neutral wire is usually larger than the live wire, and it is also connected to the earth in the main breaker box. This helps to protect against electric shock and ensures that the power supply operates normally.
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L can stand for Line in AC power supply
In AC power supply, the symbol L stands for Line, which is usually live. It is one of the two symbols used in AC power supply, the other being N, which stands for Neutral. The line is also referred to as the hot line.
The terminal L must be connected to the unearthed conductive part of the AC main supply, while the terminal N must be connected to the earthed conductive part of the AC main supply. This is done to apply for safety agency approval and to protect against electric shock by earth fault.
It is important to note that the line and neutral wires are not interchangeable for safety reasons. The neutral wire is connected to the ground and always has 0V compared to the ground. On the other hand, the live or line wire carries the AC voltage relative to the neutral. For example, in a 120V AC power supply, the live wire carries 120V relative to the ground.
In a three-phase AC power supply, there will be three lines: L1, L2, and L3. It is also important to distinguish between the line and live, as live refers to a switched-on connection, while line refers to one of the conductors of an alternating supply.
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L1 and L2 are used in N.A. on 240vac
L1 and L2 are designations for Line 1 and Line 2, the two "hot" lines of a 240-volt AC feed. In North America, where a 240-volt supply is used, the system is split in the middle with a neutral line, creating a split-phase system. This means that the voltage between L1 and the neutral line (N) is 120 VAC, and the voltage between L2 and N is also 120 VAC. These lines will be 180 degrees out of phase.
L1 and L2 are typically interchangeable in terms of usage. However, there are instances where specific pairings of L1 and L2 with other components are required. For example, when connecting an inverter to a mains panel, the inverter may have L1 and L2 markings, while the mains panel does not. In such cases, it is essential to understand the phase relationship between the lines to ensure correct pairing.
In some cases, issues with equipment, such as a non-functional manual run button, may lead to suggestions of swapping L1 and L2 connections. However, electricians generally agree that swapping L1 and L2 should not affect the equipment's functionality. The issue is more likely due to a factory defect, shipping damage, or a missing component.
It is important to note that L, representing the live connection, is different from N, which stands for the neutral connection. The terminal L is connected to the unearthed conductive part of the AC main supply, while terminal N is connected to the earthed conductive part. This configuration is essential for safety and protection against electric shock.
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L can stand for inductance
The term inductance was coined by Oliver Heaviside in 1884 as a convenient way to refer to the "coefficient of self-induction". The symbol 'L' was chosen to honour the physicist Heinrich Lenz, whose pioneering work in electromagnetism was instrumental in the development of the final theory. According to Lenz's law, the induced current in a circuit always acts to oppose the change that created it in the first place. This is also stated by Faraday's law of induction, which says that any change in the magnetic field through a circuit induces an electromotive force (EMF) or voltage in the conductors, a process known as electromagnetic induction.
Inductance 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 (e.g. cross-section area and length) and the magnetic permeability of the conductor and nearby materials. The unit of inductance is the henry (H), which is the amount of inductance that causes a voltage of one volt when the current is changing at a rate of one ampere per second.
An electronic component designed to add inductance to a circuit is called an inductor. It typically consists of a coil or helix of wire, although any conductor can have inductance. The inductance of a coil can be increased by placing a magnetic core of ferromagnetic material in the hole in the centre, increasing the flux through the coil.
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L can stand for 'Line' or 'Live' in an AC terminal
In an AC power supply, the symbol 'L' can stand for 'Line' or 'Live'. 'Line' or 'Live' refers to the wire that carries AC power relative to the ground. In other words, it carries the voltage. For example, in a 120 V AC power supply, the live wire carries 120 V relative to the ground.
'L' can also stand for 'Live' in an AC terminal. The AC input terminal 'L' must be connected to the un-earthed conductive part of the AC main supply. This is to apply for safety agency approval and protection by a blowout fuse from electric shock by earth fault.
'Line' and 'Live' are often used interchangeably. However, it is important to note that Line and Neutral are not interchangeable for safety reasons. For example, in a socket, the neutral is always the larger of the two slots, making it safer to touch with your finger.
In a light bulb socket, the outer threaded part that can be easily touched is neutral, while the live conductor is deep inside the socket.
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Frequently asked questions
L stands for Live or Line.
N stands for Neutral. In AC power supply, L (Live) carries the current, while N (Neutral) is connected to the ground and always has 0V compared to the ground.
L is called Live because it carries the AC 120 volts relative to the ground.
The symbol L in inductance possibly honors Heinrich Lenz.
