The portion of the electric current traveling back to the supply transformer or generator. In a perfectly balanced three-phase system, the return current on the neutral is zero. In unbalanced systems, single-phase circuits, or fault conditions, this current travels back through the neutral wire, the earth grid, or a dedicated return path.
The clamp meter shows 15 amps on the phase but only 10 on the neutral, so we have return current finding another path to ground.
Related terms
Neutral conductor
The wire in an alternating current system that provides the return path for load current.
Earth fault
Fault in which a live conductor makes unintended contact with earth or with earthed metalwork.
Ground loop
Unintended current path formed when connected equipment is earthed at points of different potential.