Outer conductor

This article explains the outer conductor in power engineering. For the outer conductor in communications and high-frequency technology, see coaxial cables .

Preferred color coding of external conductors for three-phase alternating current in the CENELEC area : brown, black, gray

L1

L2

L3

An outer conductor (colloquially phase ) is a conductor, which in the normal operating under tension is, and can contribute to the transmission or distribution of electric power, but no neutral conductor (center conductor) is. In single-phase connections with a nominal voltage of 230  V , it only occurs once and is denoted by L (from English line conductor ); with three-phase connections there are three outer conductors, which are designated L1, L2 and L3 (previously R, S, T).

With three-phase alternating current ("three-phase current"), the alternating currents in the three outer conductors reach their amplitudes (in time) at different phase angles .

In the low-voltage network, the rms value of the voltage of the outer conductors is usually

• 230 V against the neutral conductor and the protective conductor and
• 400 V between two outer conductors.

In Switzerland, the designation Polleiter was specified according to the standard until 2010 , it was adapted to external conductors .

See also

• Phase checker

Individual evidence

1. ↑ DIN 40108: 2003-06 Electrical power engineering , power systems - terms, sizes, symbols.
2. ↑ International Electrotechnical Dictionary IEC 60050-826: 2004-08 (DIN VDE 0100-200: 2006-06), No. 826-14-09.