The neutral feeder conductor must be capable of carrying what type of load?

The neutral feeder conductor is primarily involved in handling unbalanced loads. In a typical electrical system, especially in residential or commercial setups, loads may not always be equally distributed across all phases. This can lead to situations where the current return path through the neutral conductor is necessary to balance out the load.

When the loads are unbalanced, the neutral conductor must carry the difference in current to ensure proper functioning and safety. For example, if one phase has a heavier load than the other, the neutral conductor compensates by carrying the excess current from the overloaded phase back to the source. This is crucial because if the neutral were not appropriately sized to handle unbalanced loads, it could overheat or fail, leading to potential hazards such as electrical fires or equipment damage.

Therefore, while a neutral conductor can technically handle balanced loads as well, its primary design is to accommodate unbalanced situations, making it essential for safe and effective electrical system operation.