The improved utilisation of existing rural networks with the use of intermediate voltage and single wire earth return systems

The authors discuss the use of 1900-V single-phase and 3300-V three-phase using both overhead bundle and cable to improve the utilization of existing rural supplies. They also introduce an adaptation of the Australian single-wire earth return (SWER) systems used in South Africa for supplying sparse rural customers' densities. It is concluded that, by reducing the cost of infrastructure, either by introducing SWER by the supply authority or by allowing the customer to do much of the labor content himself, using intermediate voltages, allows the benefits of electricity to be brought to more of a rural population.