Does the neutral wire carry current when the circuit is complete?

When a circuit is complete and there is a load connected, the neutral wire does carry current in AC circuits. The primary role of the neutral wire is to provide a return path for the current that flows through the live (or hot) wire. In a balanced AC circuit, the current that returns through the neutral is equal to the current that flows through the hot wire, as it completes the circuit.

In contrast, certain scenarios, such as unbalanced loads or a fault condition, can create variations in current along the neutral. However, under normal operating conditions with a complete circuit, current must indeed flow through the neutral wire, thus affirming that it does carry current.

It’s crucial to understand that in a properly wired system, the neutral is essential for the operation of electrical devices, ensuring safety and functionality. This highlights why it is accurate to state that the neutral wire does indeed carry current when the circuit is complete.