Potential Hazards with

Neutral Conductors

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 Neutrals Are Current Carrying
Conductors

• Neutrals are grounded but carry current under load.

• The source of neutral current cannot always be
identified.

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 Potential Hazards with Neutral
Conductors

• Breaking a neutral under load could create a

shock hazard.
• Individuals contacting a lifted neutral potentially
provide an alternate path to ground.
• A broken neutral or lifted neutral could result in a
shock or an arc.

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 Energized Neutral Examples
• A neutral was misidentified and inadvertently opened
creating an arc (ORPS EM-SR-WSRC-FTANK-2005-
0009)

• A circuit was moved to a different distribution panel, but

the neutral was spliced in the original panel (ORPS EM-
RL-PHMC-PFP-2005-0011)

• An electrician received a shock after lifting a neutral from

its bus bar. The neutral received its power through an
emergency light that received power from another
distribution panel. (ORPS SC-PNSO-
PNNL=PNNLBOPER-2005-0018)

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Configuration That Requires
Additional Precautions:

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 Component labels
For the purpose of this presentation, please review the following labels:

Circuit Breaker

Circuit A Ungrounded Conductor

Circuit B Ungrounded Conductor

Notes:
Grounded Conductor (Neutral Conductor)
• 3 current carrying
conductors in a
Ground raceway.
• Copper ground wire
omitted for simplicity.
Ballast / Fluorescent Light
• Highlighted in yellow
indicates energized.

Ballast / Fluorescent Light enclosure

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The Multi-Wire Branch Circuit is an
acceptable configuration according
to the National Electrical Code
(NEC) Section 210.4.

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This circuit has also been referred to as:
• The Edison Circuit
• Common Neutral Circuit
• Shared Neutral Circuit

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• These circuits are typically found on 120 / 240 volt
single phase systems, but can be found on 208Y /120
and 277Y / 480 volt systems as well.
• The Grounded Neutral wire carries the unbalanced
load current. (“Grounded Conductor”)

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 Ckt
A

Click to Lock Out

Ckt
X Circuit
B
Click to “B”
Energize Circuits

The desired Ckt A

technique used to
remove a device Is
to cut the neutral
lead
The or disconnect
Neutral Will
Ckt B
the device
Remain leaving a
at Ground
neutral pigtail. (Click)
Potential

Ckt B
Ckt A

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 Ckt
A

Ckt
B X
Avoid
Breaking The
If You Break The
Neutral Bundle, It
Neutral Bundle
You
Will Become
Energized
May See From
an Arc
in a Multi-Wire
Circuit “A”
when disconnecting
(Click)

Branch Circuit!

If You Contact The

Neutral Conductor
You May Feel A
Shock.
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Use the following guidance when the neutral conductor must be interrupted:
• Treat the neutral as energized even though the circuit is locked out at the
source. (Use PPE that is appropriate for the hazard, i.e. gloves and eye
protection)
• Measure absence of voltage to ground immediately after lifting leads when
more than one neutral is lifted from a device or when a splice is broken.

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 Use the following guidance when the neutral
conductor must be interrupted:

 If known, Lock out both / all load breakers.

 If both circuit breakers in a multi-wire branch circuit are not known?
o Test the neutral circuit with a clamp-on type current detector to identify
if the neutral is carrying current before lifting neutral leads or breaking
a neutral connection.
NOTE: Current will exist only if one or more circuits sharing the neutral
have a load energized at the time of measurement.

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When a common neutral hazard is discovered at a device:
 Stop work and remove the hazardous condition or plan a new work
package considering known energized conductors.
 It should be corrected by installation of pigtails or other means, to maintain
continuity of the neutral wiring in accordance with NFPA 70 National
Electrical Code.

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Other general precautions include:

Label the doors of lighting and power panels where common neutrals are
known to exist. This will alert LOTO planners and workers of potential
problems.

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Other general precautions include:

Provide instructions in work packages where common neutrals are known to

exist to remind workers to be alert to wiring that may indicate a common
neutral and to maintain neutral circuit continuity.

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Other general precautions include:

Suspect a multi-wire branch circuit when three or more neutral conductors are
spliced together in a junction box, outlet box, or lighting fixture.

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Potential Hazards with
Neutral Conductors

Questions or Comments?
Contact Bobby Gray or Jerald Kinz

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