Recreational Vehicle (RV) Technician Practice Test

In a 120VAC distribution panel board, how should the white wire and the bare copper wire be connected?

1. Directly to each other

2. Isolated from each other

3. Grounded together

4. Connected through a fuse

The correct answer is: Isolated from each other

In a 120VAC distribution panel board, the white wire, which is the neutral wire, and the bare copper wire, which serves as the ground wire, should be isolated from each other. This is essential for safety and proper electrical function. The neutral wire provides a return path for current in the circuit and is connected to the ground at the main service panel, but it must only be bonded to the grounding system at that specific point. If the neutral and ground wires are interconnected at any other point, it could create potential safety hazards, such as shock risks or overloads. Moreover, any break or fault in the neutral wire would create a situation where the ground wire, which is supposed to be a safety path, could carry current under load conditions, leading to dangerous scenarios. Isolating the neutral and ground wires after the main panel helps to ensure that the electrical system remains safe and that fault currents can return properly back to the panel without compromising the ground safety. The other options, such as connecting the two wires directly, grounding them together at multiple points, or connecting through a fuse, would violate electrical codes and safety standards, posing serious risks in a residential or recreational vehicle setting. Keeping them isolated ensures safe operational integrity throughout the electrical system.