Rural electrification: the use of the single-phase system of supply

Considerable progress has already been made in furnishing electricity supplies throughout the rural areas of Great Britain, and most of the populous centres are already supplied. Much of the remaining development work during the next few years will take place in the very sparsely populated parts of rural areas. In this development economy in capital expenditure will be of paramount importance. The paper examines the extent to which the single-phase system of distribution, both high-voltage and low-voltage, can be used with advantage in such areas for providing supplies to small villages, hamlets, farms, and other isolated premises. The electrical requirements of such communities and isolated premises are investigated in the light of practical experience gained in a typical area which is briefly described. The conclusion is reached that in rural areas, after providing a basic network on the 3-phase system for all towns, large villages and industrial consumers, there remains a considerable field in which economic development will be possible only by substantial use of the single-phase system, which is fully justified both on commercial and technical grounds.