primary neutral

Re: primary neutral

Cariboocoot wrote: »

You don't need large wire for high Voltage; you need it for high current.



No circuit path. Birds can light on that 7200 Volt line (which also may not be insulated) without problem because they don't create a circuit between it and the other half of the power line. Likewise the 'neutral' is bonded to ground so there's no path between it or ground and the other side of the power - the 7200 Volt line - when you touch it.

This is why we use 240 VAC split-phase: it makes household wiring simple with only one breaker required to shut off the 120 VAC lines.

But birds with long wingspans, like the California Condor sometimes touch both wires at the same time.

Re: primary neutral

Try this....take a multimeter out to your utility pole....set it to record AC millivolts.....touch one contact to the grounding wire coming down the pole.....and stick the other in the ground anywhere.

You will read voltage and it will represent the resistance in the ground return wire to the utility substation. The measurement will be small and that is why you do not get shocked. Now if the amount is a few volts then that means that the utility return line has higher resistance. If the resistance (ie volt reading) is very high then the utility should be notified.

Do this same test on the GEC on your house wiring....voltage is always there...although in small amounts. The reason is that electricity will take all paths to source.

Re: primary neutral

Up North , here iin BC it is Osprey that suffer that fate due to a likeness to roost on the cross bars