lost neutral

noun

A dangerous situation where the neutral wire in a split-phase power system becomes broken or disconnected, forcing all electrical current to flow directly between the two line wires and exposing loads connected between line and neutral to unstable and potentially-excessive voltages, posing a risk of equipment damage, electrical fire, or electric shock.

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Meanings

nounlost neutral (plural lost neutrals)

plural lost neutrals

  1. businessA dangerous situation where the neutral wire in a split-phase power system becomes broken or disconnected, forcing all electrical current to flow directly between the two line wires and exposing loads connected between line and neutral to unstable and potentially-excessive voltages, posing a risk of equipment damage, electrical fire, or electric shock.
Cite this entry
APA

lost neutral. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lost%20neutral

MLA

“lost neutral.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lost%20neutral. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “lost neutral,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/lost%20neutral.

Source: lost neutral on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.