I was reading about ground detector lights in the Soares book, and it also mentioned a neutralizer or potentializer plug. I have never heard of one of these and I can't find any information on the web. Can anyone describe to me what this is and how it works.

Thanks,

Laura J

Laura,

Look here for some info and links:
https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum17/HTML/000064.html

Bill

Thanks Bill,

I'm still not clear on what a neutralizer or potentializer plug is.

Laura

Judging by the wording used in the Soares book, I would venture a guess that the terms "neutralizer" or "potentializer" refer to the name of the instrument, possibly connected via plug and receptacle, used to detect a ground. Maybe these were two competing brand names for ground detectors?
Any really old, old-timers out there remember?

Siemans uses the term "Potentializer Plug" on some Busway Spec sheets I came across on Google. No explanation there though.

Bill

A potentalizer is a fancy name for a set of ground detection lights used to detect ground on ungrounded systems.How do they work? On 480 volt systems thers is 2 250 volt lamps in series from each phase to ground for a total of 6 lamps . When there is a ground it shorts out one set of lamps. Sometimes the lamps will just dim but they can go out totaly then the other 2 sets will become yery bright this is determined by the servairty of the ground.IT is very important that all lamps be of the same voltage and wattage if they are not you will spend a lot of time looking for nonexisting grounds.

There is a “modern” version of ground lights / ground detectors.

The application of low-voltage, high-resistance grounded distribution is described in a paper at www.neiengineering.com/papers/paper1JN.pdf