What type of circuit consists of two or more ungrounded conductors with a potential difference between them and a grounded conductor?

In electrical systems, a multiwire branch circuit is characterized by having two or more ungrounded conductors (often referred to as "hot" wires) and one grounded conductor (which acts as the neutral). This type of circuit allows the use of multiple voltage sources, typically from a single panel, which can help to balance the load across different phases.

The ungrounded conductors are connected to different phases, creating a potential difference that allows the circuit to deliver power. The grounded conductor serves as a return path for the current and helps ensure safety by providing a path for fault currents. This design can efficiently supply power to devices while minimizing the path resistance, thus enhancing overall system performance.

In contrast, a single-phase circuit involves only one ungrounded conductor and one grounded conductor. The series circuit configuration is distinct because it connects components in a single path, meaning current flows sequentially through each load. A split-phase circuit typically involves a service with two ungrounded conductors of equal voltage (usually 120 volts each) to a common neutral, but it does not imply having multiple ungrounded conductors connected in the same method as in a multiwire branch circuit.