what happens when neutral breaks in electricity?Will voltage increase?

Answer 1

voltage can be best expressed as being the potential difference between live conductors (neutral being classed as a live conductor ) (UK 230volts)
If there is no neutral, the circuit is broken and the phase (live) conductor remains at the same potential, therefore in theory the potential voltage remains the same( volts do not "leak" out of a plug socket when you unplug an appliance)

there is volt drop due to loading on some circuits but in reality the source voltage remains the same regardless of any fault

(not really the same as the supply companies have a fairly large margin to work with when they offer a supply , 230 volts rms)

Answer 2

As far as I can tell, and if I am wrong then perhaps I am in the wrong profession, but....

(and in simple terms)

The electricity flows from the live (or 'hot' wire), through whatever you want power to and back to the source (generator, transformer or battery) via the neutral wire. At the source the voltage between the live and neutral is say, 240V, and then further along the system the voltage difference is reduced between where you are and the neutral connection at the source (so that, when you get to the neutral point of the source, the voltage between 2 points is 0. This is because with the current flowing through the circuit the voltage drops (energy is used up, volts drop a bit)).

Now break the neutral and no current flow through the circuit, so that means that no energy is being used and there is no voltage drop. So the volts will rise to the level of the source.

Connect the neutral again and the current will flow, energy will be used and the volts drop again.

Answer 3

Mike is correct, the voltage in the live would increase a little since there is no current and therefore no voltage drop in the live conductor, but as he says, it is a little. Aviophage has surely confused single and triple phase syatems since a single phase system cannot be both 110v and 220v and there is no way that the voltage can be doubled. A triple phase system can give differing voltages according to which phases are used with which or with neutral, although not in the ratio of 2 to 1 as suggested. Electricity is dangerous particularly when misunderstood and I almost believe that questions like this should be removed from the system for fear of ignorant people hurting themselves by acting on half understood or misinformed opinions.

Answer 4

In any electrical circuit there is always full voltage across a switch or break. If you are talking about a 3 phase or 2 phase distribution system then,depending on the type of neutral earthing system and where the break is, over voltage can occur and equipment can be damaged.

Answer 5

Many good answers above, if the appliance is switched on, and the neutral wire is broken, then the voltage in the live wire will increase slightly (the tiny increase will NOT affect any appliances), as the current is no longer flowing.

The voltage at the appliance end of the broken neutral wire will increase substantially, don't forget that the "Potential Difference" is the same as the mains voltage: and when current is not flowing, the potential difference between the two ends of the broken wire will be equal to mains voltage, NO MATTER WHERE THE BREAK IN THE CIRCUIT IS.

Also one mad answer above, something about the voltage being doubled, or increased by some factor equal to the age of your cat or something. Sounds like scaremongering, or urban legend.

Answer 6

Several wrong answers above.

In a single phase 3-wire panel like the typical 110/220 volt wiring in an American house, the neutral is very critical. If the neutral wire becomes open between the pole transformer and the neutral busbar in the panel box, the voltage on some circuits will be DOUBLED. This will zap many circuit devices.

If the ground wire is intact, the voltage will only increase somewhat, but enough to burn out motors and shorten the life of most bulbs.

If you are not sure of the condition of your neutral wire, have the power company come and check things out. Alternatively, have an electrician look things over.

Answer 7

Where is the break in the neutral?
You are talking about a realitively complex system.
In a single phase circuit, the current will cease to flow,
but a potential to ground will still exist - dangerous for the trouble shooter..
If the neutral breaks in a multiphase circuit, the return is through the other phase conductor and voltage and current across the phases varies as the resistance of the loads connected.

Answer 8

It would depend on a lot things here

If the device was operating at single phase or three phase
Are you operating a 120Volts or 230Volt
If you were operating at 120volts single phase the neutral is the return and the object would cease to work.If you were operating 230volt object the voltage may increase a bit but continue to run unless it needed the neutral for a return then it would cease.If you were operating three phase only a change of voltage and maybe chance of it to cease.
Another point is where you lost the neutral at the box,at the object or at the pole.

Answer 9

The neutral in any branch circuit is a CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR ...It is not to be confused with a ground. Even if it is the grounded current carrying conductor. Let me explain with an example....You turn on the light in your fish aquarium...it flickers and goes out ....for this example the dog has chewed the neutral wire on the power cord in two pieces(he is in the corner recuperating). You observe this and decide to put the wire ends, one in one hand one in another at that point YOU have become the current carrying conductor and you have just absorbed the full value of amperage that the circuit is capable of . The voltage in the circuit has gone from lets say 120 to 0 then when you put your hands on it it went right back to 120. If the Neutral breaks in any circuit the voltage potential is still there but there is no circuit path . The light goes out and nothing works.. Kirchhoff's law describe the voltage in a circuit as the sum of all of its components. Even if its the dog... Good luck from the E....

Answer 10

I know for a fact, that if the neutral lead from the Power Supplier Transformer to the house is broken while the other (2) lines, that being supply and ground remain intact, that the circuit load will be increased, and appliances whether on or off will be damaged if not protected by a surge protector.