N&W AC Signaling in 1913

[NW Mailing List]

Oh my, Abram...
 
"Insufficient data."  If you're talking about high voltage  transmission 
lines, trust me, they are three phase and do not require "a wire to  furnish a 
return path for the electrons to the generating stations."  The  three 
conductors of the three-phase line already do that.
 
Especially in rural areas, it is common for the distribution  lines to use 
single wire with earth return.  These lines are at much, much  lower 
voltages than transmission lines.  Properly engineered, installed and  maintained, 
they have no "social consequences."  If you think the current  you're 
reading is a sign of an issue, by all means have it checked out.   However, water 
pipe corrosion from a.c. currents is a very uncommon  issue.  Galvanic 
corrosion from dissimilar metals, yes, but that's a d.c.  phenomenon.  
 
Dave Phelps
 
 
In a message dated 3/26/2014 1:13:43 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org writes:

And this  problem has a modern chapter, too. There is currently a 
developing social flap  about utility electrical transmission lines not being 
equipped with a wire to  furnish a return path for the electrons to the generating 
stations. That is to  say, the electric utilities are using the earth as the 
return path, and the  "social consequences" of that are just now being 
realized. I do know that I  can drive ground rods into each end my yard and 
connect a sensitive  galvanometer between them, and read a small current. So, if 
the water pipe  leading into my house develops a pin hole, what part did 
our country's  electrical transmission system play in causing my problem?  

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