On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 12:07:23 -0500, John Hines
wrote:

"John" wrote:

The purpose of having grounding pin on AC outlet is to ground metalic
surfaces of appliances so that there can be no voltage to hurt anyone even
if there is a leak. Right?

Right.

If an AC outlet has the ground and neutral reversed, would it cause any
problem?

If the neutral is shared with another outlet, there is the very real
possibility of voltage being on it.

If an AC outlet has no grounding wire (old house) and instead the ground
prong is connected to the neutral, would that cause any problem?

Yes, then the metal surfaces of the appliance would be subject to
voltage.

Is neutral connected to ground at the circult breaker panel?

Yes, but that does not mean they are interchangeable in usage at the
outlet end. It is to insure that the breakers trip if the hot line is
shorted out to ground and not just the other side of the power line.

I remember taking awhile to understand the difference between neutral
and ground (connected at the panel). Neutral can be at a different
voltage because of current on it. The ground wire normally doesn't
carry current and should be at 0V.

Also, it's unsafe to have ground connected to other receptacle(s) but
not the panel (as someone who thinks a GFCI actually provides ground
might do).
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what
to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb
contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin