Changing Aspects of Rural Underground Distribution

The potential of underground distribution in rural areas is examined in terms of the gain in safety and reliability as well as in appearance. The applicability of underground service to specific rural loads and to conditions resulting from right-of-way difficulties and exposure to severe weather is discussed. Ferroresonance, charging current, voltage control, and other problems connected with the operation of relatively long, lightly loaded primary cables are recognized. The prospects for future development of underground rural distribution are discussed in relation to the rapidly changing pattern of rural life in the United States.