if the service neutral opened with a properly installed EGC( made electrode or water pipe), what would happen if the neutral opened? nothing, in theory.
How do you figure this?
The only way that 'close to nothing'
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would happen is if the entire neighborhood has a common metal water system.
Many water mains are now plastic, the earth is not enough of a conductor to prevent the neutral from having a potential higher than the earth with a loose or open connection.
Open neutral, go to turn on the outside water bib to wash the car and you will be a conductor.
But isn't our job to anticipate the "what -if's" of life?
I agree but sometimes we need to know the most likely 'what if' that is why I said some facts and figures would be nice. We should not just do things based on are own experiences.
None this means anything if as you have to do what the AHJ expects in your area.
CharlieE has pointed out this.
That was never the intention of NFPA 54 and is reflected in a formal interpretation of that section, that is why the NEC was changed back to the 1996 language.
I believe he is correct.
Bob
