page_title: Unbalanced line
section_title: Power transmission
hierarchical_section_title: Unbalanced line / Power transmission
caption_attribution_description: English: Single phase pole mounted Canadian power distribution transformer. The distribution wire at the top of the pole carries one of the three high voltage distribution phases from the substation as a Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) supply. The transformer is connected to the wire through a fused cutout (device at end of support arm below the wire). The small device to the left of the cutout is a lightning arrester, also connected to Earth to provide the "arresting" function - should this be necessary. The center tapped secondary voltage from the transformer, at 240V/120V split-phase, is carried to two customers premises by the two pairs of "live" wires leaving the pole at bottom left and right with the center tap being Earthed and bonded to the supporting steel wires, which act as the Neutral conductors.
context_page_description: In electrical engineering, an unbalanced line is a transmission line, often coaxial cable, whose conductors have unequal impedances with respect to ground; as opposed to a balanced line. Microstrip and single-wire lines are also unbalanced lines.
context_section_description: Electric power distribution is normally in the form of balanced three-phase transmission.  However, in some remote locations where a relatively small amount of power is required, a single-wire earth return system may be used.
caption: A pole-mount transformer on a single-wire earth return line in Canada
exif: {}