SWER in Rural Alberta?

[samgillis]

I was in Alberta a few months ago, northwest of Calgary and southwest of Edmonton, and noticed what seemed to be distribution lines that only had one conductor. I even saw some pole mounted transformers that were fed by this one wire. All I could think was that these were SWER because I couldn't seem to find a mainline neutral anywhere.

Is this what I was seeing and, if so, do they still run these in rural parts of the country or are they just antiquated and haven't been upgraded?

 

[roger]

Please update your profile to include your occupation.

 

[ron]

Single-wire earth return is principally used for rural electrification

 

[samgillis]

Please update your profile to include your occupation.

Alright did so

 

[petersonra]

I wonder why it is not more common.

 

[ptonsparky]

I wonder why it is not more common.

I believe Dairy farms don't like them. Or at least the cows.

 

[ron]

I wonder why it is not more common.

Anything in the return path of current can become energized and result in step / touch potential issues.
Back when I used to read the IEEE magazines, the agricultural related articles regarding resolving issues with animals that wouldn't drink or eat was popular.

 

[petersonra]

Anything in the return path of current can become energized and result in step / touch potential issues.
Back when I used to read the IEEE magazines, the agricultural related articles regarding resolving issues with animals that wouldn't drink or eat was popular.

One would think the return path would be far enough below ground level as to not be an issue.

 

[jim dungar]

I wonder why it is not more common.

SWER has not been popular in the US for at least 80 years.
There are issues with it as distribution systems started to employ more relaying, as grids became more interconnected, and as systems are switched between delta and wye as they grow.

 

[electrofelon]

I know there is some swer in Australia that is alive and well, I haven't heard any confirmation that Canada is still using.

 

[ron]

One would think the return path would be far enough below ground level as to not be an issue.

The current takes all paths back to its source relative to its impedance. The surface of the soil is not infinite impedance.

 

[Dan Hammer]

There are definitely ranches and farms along highway 22 in Southern Alberta that are fed SWER. These ranches and farms are pretty rural and isolated. I drive down 22 quite a bit to visit family. Next time I drive down I’ll take some pictures.


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[Fred B]

Still have some in northern counties here that are using SWER. First I saw one I was like "where is the second wire" transformer feed for a 120/240. Recently saw one still used, It was on a long 3 mile run out to a farm on dead end road.