Re: Potentially stupid question about AC

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

"Dave" <dave-ster<nospam>@usa.net> wrote:

>> So both hot and neutral wires carry current, correct?  The
>> difference is that the neutral wire is also grounded (at the
>> unity pole where the transformer is)?  So how does the
>> polarized plugs work (is the something in the appliance
>> connected preferentially to one lead rather than the other)?
>>
>> I'm asking because I used to be called to install household
>> fixtures for relatives and I used to always connect the wires
>> any which way.  I mean, polarity did not seem to matter
>> since the appliances always worked either way.  Now it
>> turns out there is a safety concern.  Why?
>
>Hot wires are the source of electrons, and the neutral wire carries them
>back to the power plant.  So, while both carry electrons, only the hot is a
>source of electrons.  Electrons are lazy little dudes and take the easiest
>path home (the power plant or ground), and after they get into the neutral
>line have a pretty easy trip through it.  That's why you won't really get a
>shock if you touch the neutral line.  Traveling through you isn't bound to
>be as easy as traveling through a wire.

But isn't this AC?  Why would the electrons only travel back to
the power plant through the neutral line.  I thought the polarity
reverses itself 50 or 60 times a second.  Isn't it more like the
electrons being pushed back and forth through the wire(s)?  I
would imagine that only with DC do the electrons get pushed
through a one way loop around the circuit.