Dear Rob: That is amazing. Very forward thinking. However, it seems to
use a lot of copper, some of which is latent waiting to be used. On the
other hand, the cost of running the 3 phase cable underground probably is
much more than the cost of the cable.

In the North American scheme, most HV and LV cables are "in the air." This
tends to minimize the cost of running the cable and, too often, advantage is
taken of air-cooling to use what I believe to be wire that is too small.
Some newer, crowded residential areas do bury everything. The wires to my
house are buried both as a means to provide safety (antennas can not touch
wires) and, because of the reduced cooling, as a means to have the right
gauge of wire used. I had to pay extra to have the pole to house connection
be as I think it should be.

Each of the disclosed systems has advantages and costs. It is fascinating
to see how different systems value the costs.
Thank you for expanding my knowledge. One wonders if you are a radio
amateur. 73, Mac N8TT

"Rob" wrote in message ...

J. C. Mc Laughlin wrote:
Dear Rob: Of course I know what a three phase system is. In North
America, most high voltage (HV) is distributed using three phase. In a
residential area, a transformer's primary is connected to one of the
phases
(with secondary producing what you call a 2-phase, 120VAC - 240VAC
system).
At the next house, or group of houses, down the road another transformer
is
connected to a different phase - and so on. Because the net power factor
of
a residential area is inductive, periodically one will see a platform on a
pole holding three sets of capacitors each connected to a phase.

Like in the UK, we don't have low and medium voltage power distribution
on poles.
All local distribution is underground. Only high voltage is distrubuted
(between cities) on overhead cables.

It is most interesting to learn that in the Netherlands it is common to
deliver three phase to a residence. That is a surprise.

It is common, but not everyone has it. However, it is the normal situation
to distribute 3-phase power to every residence and then connect only a
single phase to a meter, picking another phase at each residence. On
request, the connection can be upgraded to 3-phase by exchanging the
meter and adding two more fuses to the already present 3-fuse box.


J. C. Mc Laughlin
Michigan U.S.A.
Home: