What happens if you create an open neutral in a multi-wire circuit?

• A. The circuit will trip the breaker
• B. The neutral becomes grounded
• C. Source voltage remains on the neutral leg
• D. The circuit will continue normally

Answer: (C)

In a multi-wire circuit, two hot legs share a single neutral. That neutral is normally fixed at ground potential and provides a solid return path for current.

If that neutral becomes open, there’s no complete return path through neutral. The two loads on the separate legs end up connected in series across the two hot conductors, so the neutral conductor is left floating. With no reference to ground, the voltage on that neutral wire is not fixed; it can assume a potential determined by the relative impedances of the two loads and the two hot legs. In other words, the source voltage effectively remains on the neutral leg relative to ground, leading to unpredictable voltages at outlets and other devices and creating a potential shock hazard.