One for the Electricians

[DavidApp]

Reading a story in the last few days about losses in the power grid. Electricity generated but not paid for. Losses vary greatly from 6% in the US to up to 50% in Haiti. Having seen power poles in some countries I have visited I can see how they could suffer from unofficial connections.

While walking I pass several lots that have a power pole with a transformer that is connected to the power lines (The fuse is still in place) but there is no home on the lot.
Are these transformers burning power like the wall wart that stays plugged in even when you are not charging your cell phone?

If there they must be costing the grid a lot of power.

David

 

[Boink]

I presume that such downed lines and transformers are de-energized (for safety first) until repairs can happen.

 

[John Turney]

While walking I pass several lots that have a power pole with a transformer that is connected to the power lines (The fuse is still in place) but there is no home on the lot.
Are these transformers burning power like the wall wart that stays plugged in even when you are not charging your cell phone?

I'm assuming you are talking about regular power lines not in a disaster area. If the transformer is live, there will be a small amount of power loss, like the wall wart. We have them in our area, and there is one transformer about every block, not one for each house. They are, of course, active because our suburban neighborhood is completely built.

 

[DavidApp]

Yes regular power lines and not a disaster area. The lots are larger so there is usually one transformer per lot. Some of the lots have been vacant for years so I would have thought the power company would have removed the fuse so the transformer was out of circuit.

Yes I turn lights out and unplug wall warts.

David