Which of the following readings may indicate a problem when detecting neutral overloading in a receptacle branch circuit by measuring the neutral-to-ground voltage?

Measuring the neutral-to-ground voltage in a receptacle branch circuit is crucial for assessing the condition of the neutral conductor and identifying potential overload issues. A reading higher than 2V typically signifies that there may be an excessive return current on the neutral, which can indicate an overloaded neutral. This scenario is concerning because it suggests that the neutral wire is struggling to handle the current load, potentially leading to overheating and unsafe conditions.

This threshold is significant because the expectation is that the neutral should carry little to no voltage relative to ground under normal loading conditions. A higher reading indicates that there's likely an imbalance in the circuit or an inappropriate distribution of the currents among multiple circuits. In contrast, neutral-to-ground readings lower than 0.5V usually suggest a healthy circuit, while values equal to 1V or within the range of 0.5V to 1.5V might indicate some minor imbalance but not severe enough to raise immediate alarm. Therefore, a reading above 2V is a strong indicator of a potential problem that warrants further investigation and corrective actions to ensure safety and compliance with electrical codes.