Today my A/C compressor had given up its ghost and when I tried to disconnect it from the wall switch after turning OFF the wall circuit-breaker,I assumed like most 110V lines where only one line (Live-L) lights with neon tester.
When the circuit breaker was turned OFF the neon tester on A/C switch line turned OFF and I assumed the power was out. But while disconnecting I accidentally touched the other wire and I received a shock. On testing with neon tester I noticed the light was glowing for the other line also and I later discovered it had in fact two breakers(no handle tie) for the A/C circuit. When I checked on my normal 110V lines the neon test light glows only on one wire i.e., Live wire.
Even most of my google searches showed a 220V line with just L and N. So,doesn't the US 220V have a neutral?
Answer
US residential (and most commercial) uses split-phase electricity, therefore both wires of a 220V outlet are live; the neutral is used to provide two 110V connections, each 180 degrees out of phase.
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