ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Noodle

Along with the term "Noodle" being an ECN "proprietary" term, I have heard a few in the trade use this technically correct term!

I like it, since it lays no claim to a conductor's function - yet places an emphasis on the given conductor as to it's "difference and complexity"

Simply, it does not say a word about any common conductor / center tap current flow situations, but does make a claim that this conductor is some how different than the others!
Hence lies the crucial factor: Grounded / Identified Circuit Conductor!!!
Be it a Center Tap, a Common on 4 wire Wye, or a "Corner Grounded" Delta - the term "Noodle" (To ME) distinguishes it from any other Conductor, but does not label it's function.

Now on the other hand, trying to use a piece of Pasta for a circuit conductor may lead to problems - so uncovers the flip side of the coin regarding rampant spread of terms without an underlying definition.

As long as no person can be hurt trying to use Pasta for a conductor, there's not too much of a safety hazard - only a head spin for the lucky ones trying to shoot trouble on that installation!

Scott s.e.t.

I can just see questions popping up on ECN in the next few days:

Anyone know the resistance of a 50-ft. length of #14 spaghetti?

AFAIK, Noddle is the term used for the the flat/wide metal conductor that bonds the
neutral bus to the enclosure in a main panel.

I wish I could show a picture.

Sauce-Tinned, or Untinned?

I remember from studies at Culinary School of Electrical Engineering that the Conductance of Sauce-Tinned Spaghetti is slightly higher than the Untinned Spaghetti - a difference of maybe 0.350 MHOs per square mm to be exact.

Punchline:

LOL!!!

LOL on Paul's reply also!!!

Scott s.e.t.

The definition I learned was "a grounded current carrying conductor."

gregoryf,

Here we go...

Is it neutral if it is the grounded phase conductor of a corner grounded 3-phase, 3-wire system?
I think the term neutral is more indicative of a conductor that carries no current when a balanced load exists.

Harold Endean

"One of my employees (Who was lic, elec. cont) use to call the neutral the "Nootch"...."

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Sounds like something a Brooklynite would have come up with. Considering your geographical location, I'd say you're close enough.