In the USA the neutral is connected to the ground at the entrance box.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_wiring_in_North_America
"American electrical codes require that the neutral be connected to earth a=
t
the "service panel" only and at no other point within the building wiring
system."

When my garage was wired it needed a separate ground because it is not
attached to the house.

Allen

> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf
Of
> Vitaliy M
> Sent: Friday, July 11, 2014 3:17 PM
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
> Subject: Re: [EE]: Grounding SMPS and earthing.
>=20
> On Jul 11, 2014, at 10:26, Justin Richards <justin.richards@gmail.com>
wrote:
> >
> > Earth and Neutral are connected
> > together in the meter box where the power enters the house.
>=20
> AFAIK this is not true in most cases, at least in North America. Earth is
a separate
> conductor, connected to an earthing rod.
>=20
>=20
> --
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