[time-nuts] AC Connector On HP 5061B

Didier Juges didier at cox.net
Thu Oct 2 22:43:55 EDT 2008


> -----Original Message-----
> From: time-nuts-bounces at febo.com 
> [mailto:time-nuts-bounces at febo.com] On Behalf Of Steve Rooke
> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:02 PM
> To: brooke at pacific.net; Discussion of precise time and 
> frequency measurement
> Subject: Re: [time-nuts] AC Connector On HP 5061B
> 
> 2008/10/3 Brooke Clarke <brooke at pacific.net>:
> > It's not clear to me how 230 VAC countries handle that problem?  If 
> > they also use the same transformer but only bring in the 
> 230 VAC then 
> > neither side of the line is near ground potential.
> 
> In 230/240 VAC the neutral side of the transformer output is 
> earthed at the transformer end. So breakdowns in the 
> transformer go direct to earth at the distribution 
> transformer itself. At the customer end you will find a small 
> voltage at the neutral terminal due to the current running 
> down the resistance of the conductor back to the transformer.
> As this is not a balanced supply, outlets have specific 
> connections to each pole of the mains and earth. The earth 
> connection is made locally, usually bonded to the incoming water main.
> 
> 73
> Steve
> --
> Steve Rooke - ZL3TUV & G8KVD
> Omnium finis imminet
> 

In France, power distribution is typically via 3 phase 220/380, so each 220
phase has one side at neutral. I am not sure where it is grounded.  Usually,
the three phases drive separate areas of the house in an attempt to balance
the load. Few houses used to have all electric heating, even though that
trend has increased substantially in the last 20 years. High power consumers
(such as house heating) use the three phase directly (that's the case in my
dad's house.) 

There is no pole-pig in France, each neighborhood has a larger transformer
in a small building at the end of the street feeding a significant number of
houses. Distribution to the transformer is at high voltage (6kV I think, but
I may be off).

Since over 80% of electrical power in France comes from nuclear power
plants, the effect of gas prices on electricity prices has not been very
significant yet.

Didier KO4BB




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