(flame guard on)

Please tell me (and others who don't know) the dangers of connecting a
load (lamp, motor, whatever) between the live (230V) and Earth
(instead of Neutral) in a standard supply.

In know it will cause the RCB to trip, but where there isn't such a
device, and considering that the load will be powered, what are the
dangers?

(I know that it by-passes the electricity meter, ie if the neutral
connection is removed, it can't measure the voltage therefore no
consumption!)

(flame guard off)

Thanks!