Sylvia Else wrote:
I have to phases of power supply to my house - so three power lines, two
phases plus neutral.

I've on occasion wondered what would happen if we lost the neutral line.
It seems to me that we'd then have the voltage between the two phases
across two sets of appliances, one set attached to one phase, and the
other set attached to the other phase, with the two sets in series as a
result of their common connection to the neutral wire. Since the two
sets are unlikely to represent equal loads, the net result would be a
large overvoltage on one set of appliances.

My electrician says it's not an issue, but I can't see why.

Any thoughts?

Sylvia.
not a neutral problem but.
I can remember an old lady complaining that every time she turned the
hot water tap the lights came on half brilliance.and sure enough they did.
she had three phase and an instantaneous three phase water heater.

one phase had gone and the heater caused the dead phase to be live in
series with element.(the water flow closes the heater circuit)