What can improper wiring or mishandling of multiwire branch circuits cause?

Improper wiring or mishandling of multiwire branch circuits can lead to several critical issues, including overloading of the neutral conductors, destruction of equipment due to overvoltage, and increased safety risks.

When multiwire branch circuits are not wired correctly, they can create situations where the neutral conductor carries more current than intended, especially if the hot wires are not balanced properly. This can lead to overheating and even cause the conductor to fail or pose a fire risk.

Moreover, mishandling can lead to incorrect voltage levels appearing in devices connected to the circuit, potentially damaging sensitive equipment. This overvoltage can occur if there is a break or short somewhere in the circuits, causing voltage to spike unexpectedly.

Additionally, safety risks (such as electrical shock or fire hazards) become significantly heightened when circuits are wired improperly or in a way that contradicts electrical codes and standards. For instance, if circuits are not properly grounded or if an overload condition occurs without adequate protective devices like circuit breakers, there is a higher likelihood of accidents.

Thus, it's clear that improper wiring or mishandling of multiwire branch circuits encompasses all these risks, making the response that includes every consequence the most accurate.