ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Old, no ground systems

Anyne remember on the old 2 wire systems, what they called the white wire with no 3rd wire ground? Neutral or ground?

I'm figuring you're talking about branch circuits. It was neutral. Some called it common. I'm not old enough to have seen any DC.
I sure wish the NEC would call this a "veeblefetser" or something. It confuses the heck out of most of the help when you start talking grounded and grounding conductors.
(BTW veeblefetser is from 1960-MAD magazine)

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 09-02-2001).]

In those days the wires were the same color. I saw one in warren, Ohio recently, two fuses on a porcilein block and a disconnect nearby. It was in the attic and attached to the roof and it was still well 'dressed in'even by todays standards it was a really neat looking job and was probably installed circa 1903, accordingly; the grounded system came into being around 1913. As far as your question I would think it would be a grounded conductor although then they fused both sides, so who knows?