ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades Pole mount XFMR

Hello,

I just found this picture on my computer, didn't know if you'd be interested in it, so I'll post it anyway.



I found it behind a high-school in my area.

I believe that is 11kV coming in from the right, correct?

What are the cables on the left hand side doing?

Three phases + Neutral, and?

Thanks,
Bye

What a great name you have!!!!!

ryanjuk,
Welcome to ECN!.
That's a good pic.
My best guess would be that it's a Pilot wire for the Hot Water Ripple control or for controlling Street-Lighting

Hi Ryan, and welcome to ECN.

Yes, that looks like 11kV coming in at the top. There are clearly two sets of fuse cut-outs on the secondary side. I would guess that those on the right-hand pole go to an underground feeder.

The 5th-wire arrangement used to be employed here in the past for street lighting. There may be a few places still using the system, but it's been a long time since I've seen it. Some old poles still have the fifth bracket/insulator on them, but in most cases the extra conductor was removed many years ago.

Whereabouts in Britain is this photo from?\

The photo is from Southern Scotland

If it were for street-lighting, would the 5th wire just become live when it got dark?

Ryan,
Yes this is correct,
Most street lighting systems are either controlled by a Photocell or by Electronic timer.

OK, I hate to throw "stuff" in the game...... or maybe I don't.

If I saw that in this country, I'd be thinking 5 wire/2phase, did they ever USE that across the pond?????

George,
Just trying to think.
How would that be configured?.

I can't say it was never used in public distribution, but if it was it must have been confined to the early days.

LV distribution standardized pretty early on with 3-wire DC and 4-wire 3-phase wye AC.

Ryan,
If you're in the area, can you see if there is anything actually connected to that fifth (bottom) wire on the pole?