Danger of Open Service Neutral

According to the NEC, metal parts of service equipment shall be grounded to the earth. The purpose of
grounding the metal parts to the earth is to protect persons and property from fires by limiting voltage on
the metal parts from lightning [250.4(A)(2)].

In addition, the grounded (neutral) service conductor shall be grounded to the earth at service
equipment. For the purpose of limiting the voltage imposed by lightning, line surges, or unintentional
contact with higher voltage lines. Grounding is intended to shunt potentially dangerous energy into the
earth from the system [250.4(A)(1)].

Note: The grounding of the grounded (neutral) conductor to the earth also helps the electric utility clear
high-voltage ground faults when they occur, but reducing the utility system ground resistance.

Purpose of Neutral

Because electric utilities are not required to install an equipment grounding conductor to service
equipment, a grounded (neutral) conductor shall be run from the electric utility transformer to each
service disconnecting means and this conductor shall be bonded to the service disconnect enclosure
[250.24]. The grounded (neutral) service conductor serves as the required effective ground-fault current
path necessary to ensure that dangerous voltage from a ground fault will be quickly removed by opening
of the circuit protection device [250.4(A)(3) and 250.4(A)(5)].

Hazard of Open Service Neutral

If the grounded (neutral) service conductor is opened or not provided at all, objectionable neutral current
will flow on metal parts of the electrical system and dangerous voltage will be present on the metal parts
providing the potential for electric shock. This dangerous electrical shock condition is of particular
concern in buildings that contain swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.

In addition, when the grounded (neutral) conductor from the secondary of a transformer is open or not
present, the operating voltage for the loads on one line will rise, while the operating voltage for the other
line will drop. Another hazard exists from over or under line voltage, and that is a fire from excessive
heat.

Equipment Voltage Rating

Manufactures typically rate equipment at 115V +-10-15%, which means that 115V rated equipment
should have a continuous operating voltage between 100V and 135V. Because electrical equipment of
the inductive type (motors, computers, electronic ballast, etc) can be damaged or destroyed from over
voltage, and resistive loads will only be damaged from over voltage, we must be sure that the voltage
remains stable within the equipment voltage rating.

Voltage Distribution
The voltage distribution on the circuits and the touch voltage on metal parts from an open service
grounded (neutral) conductor are dependent on the impedance of the loads on Line 1, Line 2, and
ground resistance as measured by a ground resistance meter.

For example, the voltage distribution of a 3-wire, 120/240V service where Line 1 is 100A, Line 2 is 50A,
and the ground resistance is varied will be:

Ground Resistance Line 1 Line 2 Line 3

100 ohms 80 Volts 160 Volts 40 Volts
10 ohms 81 Volts 159 Volts 39 Volts
25 ohms 83 Volts 157 Volts 37 Volts
5 ohms 86 Volts 154 Volts 34 Volts
3 ohms 88 Volts 152 Volts 32 Volts
1 ohms 98 Volts 142 Volts 22 Volts

As we can see from the above table:

the operating voltage for the loads on Line 1 is below the equipment rating,
the operating voltage for the load on Line 2 are above the equipment rating, and
the touch voltage is excessively high and dangerous.

Download a free spreadsheet http://mikeholt.com/free/neutral3wire.xls to determine the above values.

One last point, if the grounded (neutral) service conductor (which serves as the effective ground-fault
current path) is opened or not provided at all (this happens when people think that a neutral is not
required if there are no line-to-neutral loads), a ground fault cannot be cleared. The result is that metal
parts of electrical equipment, as well as metal piping and structure steel will become and remain
energized at line voltage. In this case 120V.

Let me summarize by saying that the ground resistance must be as low as possible, but a low resistance
ground does not reduce dangerous touch voltage to a safe level from a ground fault! Yes, a lower
resistive ground will reduce touch voltage if the grounded (neutral) is opened, but not likely to a safe
value.

P.S. If the grounded (neutral) service conductor is open, neutral current will flow onto the metal parts of
the electrical system. When this occurs in a wood frame construction building, neutral current seeking a
return path to the power supply will travel into the moist wood members. After many years of this current
flow, the wood will be converted into charcoal (wood with no moisture) and ultimately it can result in a
fire. This condition is called pyroforic-carbonization.

By the way an AFCI will protect against the arc caused by an open grounded (neutral) service conductor.
What will happen is that the electronic sensing element of the AFCI will be destroyed from over voltage!

Mike Holt Comment: Please send me your feedback and comments. Mike@MikeHolt.com

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