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Safe Connection Imperative |
| Q.
How is the customer protected from high voltage exposure if something goes wrong with the power system? |
| A.
A fuse and a jumper wire provide the means to deenergize the service (customer) power system isolating it from the high voltage distribution system during malfunctions.
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The fuse opens up the connection automatically under certain fault conditions, de-energizing the transformer and making
it safe. One concern is that the high voltage on the supply side of the
transformer might short to the low voltage on the customer side where it
could cause disastrous results—insulation failure in farmstead circuits
and appliances, and, most importantly, the serious risk of immediate
electrocution of people and livestock.
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The jumper wire connecting the supply neutral and the utilization
neutral (farm neutral) ensures that there is a path with a resistance low enough
(besides the indirect path through the earth that is resistive in comparison)
to allow the maximum fault current to flow and operate the fuse.
Maximum current ensures that the fuse operates to resolve the dangerous
condition quickly before accidents occur.
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Surge arresters may also be installed at the transformer to
divert any lightning surges induced on the power line to the earth.
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