Method for Distinguishing Zero Wire, Live Wire, and Ground Wire with a Multimeter
The method for distinguishing between a zero wire and a live wire with a multimeter is to place the multimeter in the AC voltage range of 250V. If the multimeter pointer is not moving, this wire is the zero wire. The wire that the pointer is deflecting is the live wire, and the ground wire, also known as a lightning wire, is used to introduce current into the ground.
1. How to use a multimeter to distinguish between zero and live wires?
Place the multimeter in the AC voltage range of 250V, with one meter rod connected to a wire and the other in contact with the wall or ground. (If the wall or ground is particularly dry, use water to make it damp, which can be more effective.) If the multimeter pointer is not moving, it indicates that this wire is zero, and if the pointer is deflected, it indicates that this wire is live.
2. How to use a multimeter to distinguish between zero wire, live wire, and ground wire?
1) Set the multimeter to the AC 500V range and first ground one of the probes or hold it by hand.
Pay attention to safety, and do not use the wrong pen to measure the gear. If it changes around 190V to 230V, it is the live line. If it changes a few tens of volts, it is the zero line. If it only changes a few volts or remains unchanged, it is the ground line. From: Home of Electrical Technology
2) Ground wire, also known as lightning conductor, is a wire used to introduce current into the earth; When electrical equipment leaks or voltage is too high, current enters the ground through the ground wire. So it cannot be used as a zero line.
3) In a power supply system, all zeros are interconnected and can be shared, but attention should be paid to the current that the cable can withstand.
