1. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
One-Way Electric Line (B-Line 50 – 60 Hz)
Two faces Janus
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
One face is better
Museum visitor
Professor Michael Bank
and 1
Updated

2. "That can not possibly be, because it could never possibly be" From "Letter to scholarly neighbor" by Anton Chekhov
What is electrical current? Even nowadays one can read in Wikipedia that electrical current is directed movement of charged particles such as electrons. On the other hand it was known that electrons are particles having a mass and they can not move at the speed of light. Many believe that electrical circuit has to be closed, one can find numerous references on the matter in the web. According to this approach, current flows from a source in a wire, passes through a load and comes back to the source However, this approach ignores the following facts: - electrical energy propagates at the speed of light, - electrical energy is transmitted only from the source to the load and does not return, - there exist single-channel methods of electrical energy transmission. The above approach was adopted in the past, however, until now it has many followers.
That is why when the author presents the principles of the single-wire transmission of electrical energy to a new group of specialists, he usually hears in reply: "This can never happen".

3. Content Slides
Introduction
Single Line Electricity proposal
Single Wire Three-Phase and DC Systems
Another one wire systems
Experiments B-Line in JCT (50 Hz)
Grounding problems solutions
About power losses, interferences and safety
Expectation, Dreams Hopes

4. “Transmission of electricity requires at least two wires” - this statement has been ingrained in the consciousness of engineers for over 150 years.
1. Introduction
This is two-way system

5. But there are single-wire transmission system, for example:
Fiber Optic Systems
Waveguide

6. Radio Systems
Can a single-wire method also be used in any electrical system for transmission of energy or information?

7. Earlier Attempts
Single-wire electrical energy transmission by Nikola Tesla (1890) [US Patent number 1,119,736)
The Goubau line, a single-wire transmission line at microwave frequencies. (Geog Goubau, "Surface waves and their Application to Transmission Lines," Journal of Applied Physics 21 (1950))
AFEP experiment based on the Russian patent application (1993 ) by Stanislav and Konstantin Avramenko (PCT/GB93/00960 ).
All these methods lead to loss of energy and a change in the signal waveform.
One wire systems such as single wire earth return (SEWER) system have been used for a long time. In such systems one port of the source and one port of the load are connect to ground. It will be shown below that these systems have large reactive power, due to unbalancing.

8. 2. Single Line Electricity proposal
Introduction
If we agree with the opinion that the active electrical propagates propagates from the source to the load and does not back to the source, then the conventional two-wire circuit can be represented like this:
The well-known conventional model
A-Line
The source (generator) produces signal, which consists of two sub signals with opposite phases

9. B-Line: Wires with the same (equipotential) currents can be combined.
Main Idea: We can get the same phase in both wires if we apply phase inverters at the beginning and at the end of one of the wires G RL
Inv
B-Line: Wires with the same (equipotential) currents can be combined.

10. Instead of using two or more channels
Inverter
We can use one channel in electrical system also
+/-
-/+
B-Line
A-Line
In this presentation three terms: B-Line, One wire and Single line are synonymous.

11. B-Line with two delay lines ADS simulation (without ground)
After delay
In this simulation inverter is a half period delay line. 11

12. B-line Simulation with two transformers simulations
ADS simulation
In this simulation exactly the same currents are produced as as in the previous simulation where zeroing (grounding) was not used.
Here ground is used for potential zeroing (see next four slides).
Note that the current between source and load corresponds to Ohm's law, so no other current can exist.
Here we have to make explanations. The currents flowing in the ground. But the grounding resistance is always much less than the resistance in the circuit. Usually it is not more than 20 ohms. Therefore, these currents do not produce work.

13. The grounding (zeroing)
Protective ground
Current flowing inside the ground is absorbed by it and cannot travel beyond m.
Absorption space (10 – 20 m)
Rgr = 1 ÷ 10 Ohm
An electrical ground system should have an appropriate current-carrying capability in order to serve as an adequate zero-voltage reference level. In electronic circuit theory, a "ground" is usually idealized as an infinite source or sink for charge, which can absorb an unlimited amount of current without changing its potential.

14. Of course the resistance of grounding (zeroing) makes losses in the overall system. These relative losses  can be determined from the ratio
where Rgr is ground resistance
R is the total resistance of the electrical line including source impedance, load and wire.
Usually, properly made protective grounding has resistance close to 10 Ohms.
If it's is not enough, than several groundings at the space of at least 10 m between them can be installed .
Then the total resistance of the ground will be N times smaller
More about zeroing with the grounding, see in part 6. “Grounding problems solutions”.

15. Zeroing in simulations
Potential zeroing is the main objective in grounding of power transmission systems. As shown above, if grounding is done properly, the current can propagate for a less than 10 m.
However, in many simulation programs, such as ADS, there is only one ground bus. Therefore, it is not possible to separate the transmitting and receiving parts of the system, since they have common ground.
In order to resolve this problem and for proper simulation we propose a zeroing method using device that does not contain ground, which is a half period time delay. We will call this device Electric Buffer or ElBuf. Its functioning is clear from the figure below.
ElBuf
50 Hz
The following shows the results of simulations using the ElBuf. The main goal of these simulations is comparing SWER and B-Line systems.

16. Ohmic resistance of the ground
The linear resistance of ground between two points is great ( Ohms per meter), therefore energy cannot be transmitted between two points through the ground.
The ground cannot be as a second wire in electrical systems. The zeroing by grounding in systems like SWER allow to current flowing in one wire (see part 4 “Another one wire systems”). The current in SWER exists in one wire only, therefore this system is unbalanced.
See M. Bank “Balanced and Unbalanced Single Wire” in International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, Volume 4 Issue 10, October 2014.

17. 3. Single Wire Three-Phase and DC Systems
In three phase system the phase difference of currents is 120 degrees. For inverting these three sub signals to signal in one wire form one must change phases by 120 degrees. But It is known that to make a lossless phase shift of 90 degrees and more difficult to use filters. (Phase shift more then 900 one can get by active filters or by multiaxial filter. Both are unacceptable here.)
Then below you can see here proposed easily workable method for converting three phase signal to B-Line signal and B-line to three phase signal.
The same circuit, but in reverse sequence converts B-Line signal in three phase signal

18. One wire – three phase high voltage system simulation
+1200
-1200
Two comments:
- Inverters are used in each phase to be able to output a three one phase (two-wire) signals.
Inductive and capacitance resistance optimal value depends on the value of the load impedance. This problem can be solved using feedback from output current. If the system uses tap-changing-under-load transformers (TCUL), as an output transformers, then the control signals in these transformers can be used for needed feedback

19. Current inverse ration = 2.14 / 1/ 0.62 140 A.
For comparison with single line three phase system let us take normal balanced by neutral wire three phase scheme. In case of balanced scheme resistance ratio must be equal to current ratio.
300 A.
480 A.
5 Ohm
1.5 Ohm
816.5V
60Hz
Phase = 1200
Phase = 00
Phase = -1200
2.3 Ohm
Resistance ratio = 2.17 / 1 / 0.65
Current inverse ration = 2.14 / 1/ 0.62
140 A.

20. Current inverse ration = 1.6 / 1 / 0.5
Now we will take different resistances in single line three phase scheme.
We have got here important results: In this case resistance ratio is equal to current ratio. Therefore single line three phase system is equivalent to four lines three phase system.
370 A.
L= 10mH
480 A.
C= 700F
5 Ohm
816.5V
60Hz
Phase = 1200
300 A.
370 A.
2.3 Ohm
816.5V
60Hz
Ph. = 00
T = 0.1
T = 10
T = 1
T = 1
370 A.
150 A.
L= 10mH
1.5 Ohm
816.5V
60Hz
Phase = -1200
C= 700F
Resistance ratio = 1.6 / 1 / 0.65
Current inverse ration = 1.6 / 1 / 0.5

21. B-Line distributing system inside of a building
As shown in *, B-Line load can be connected without inverter, i.e. between the common conductor and ground. In this case, the load receive half the voltage and double current. That is, the power is not lost. To maintain the required standard voltage, 2 : 1 transformer can be used. In this case there is no loss of energy, as all the current coming from a single line passes through the load.
20 mA
20 mWt
1 V
1 : 2
ADS simulation
* M. Bank “Single Wire Electric System”, Engineering 2012, November – 722

22. DC one-pole generator with inverter by capacitors
B-Line for DC
DC one-pole generator with inverter by capacitors
Receiver inverter
There are two capacitors which, in turn, charge and discharge. In the transition from charging to discharging the direction of the current changes.

23. Part 4. Another one wire systems
In typical electrical systems the electrical source generates two or more (for example three phase) signals with different potentials. The same signals received by load. All electrical transmission energy systems can be divided on balanced (symmetrical) and unbalanced (non symmetrical) systems. In balanced systems signals with different opposite potentials are transmitted by each wire. In this case the phase difference between the signals at the load does not depend on distance.
B-Line is one wire balanced system. Compared with the normal two-wire system, in B-Line the second sub current is flowing through the common wire together with first sub current. But it does not lead to unbalances, because load in B-Line system receives a normal two-phase signal.
B-Line does not introduce any additional loss in comparison with the usual two-wire system. In addition, it reduces loses by mutual influence between wires and by radiation Corona Effect. B-Line can work in all frequencies including DC, in all voltages and allows giving three phase signal.

24. In unbalanced systems signal phase of inner wire is changing with distance, but outside wire (shielding) has constant potential, equals zero us usual. Therefore phase difference in unbalanced systems is dependent on distance. The phase difference changing leads to reactive power and hence to the signal energy losses.
There is a known electrical power distribution method using only one conductor with the return path through earth (SWER system). In this system one terminal of the source and one terminal of the load are grounded (zeroed). Therefore it is unbalanced system, and there are reactive power problems. In the SWER system input impedance of the line is less than in common two line system, so the loss due to output impedance of the generator is higher.

25. Works of Tesla and French and Russian scientists proposed a method of transmission of active electric power by reactive capacitive current using resonant properties of a single line (resonance methods). These methods involve increasing the frequency and the waveform change. They are unbalanced systems also. Besides the disadvantages of conventional unbalanced circuits, resonant circuits have high-frequency radiation and therefore do not allow a transmission of significant power.
HF Gen
HF / LF

26. More about SWER
The proposed B-Line (single-wire) system is often compared to the SWER system. The standard definition of SWER is: Electricity distribution method using only one conductor with the return path through earth.
However the ground in SWER (after the generator and before the load) creates zeroing of the current in the conductor. Between two zero potentials can not be any signal transmission. :  x

27. SWER line in details.
At the input of the receiving transformer the difference of potentials is asymmetric. Indeed, the signal phase at the end of a line will depend upon the distance from the source. But the potential of grounding point does not depend on the distance and is always zero.
Such line can be represented as a line having both an active and reactive load. It is well-known that reactive power is always present in a circuit where there is a phase difference between voltage and electric current in that circuit. For example, in typical inductive load there is a phase difference between voltage and current, and the current lags behind the voltage by certain angle in time domain.
Reactive power source additionally loads the source and decreases system efficiency.

28. SWER system simulations
Assume there is 150 km long SWER system with resistance of the power generator 50 Ohm and load resistance 1 kOhm.
Grounding of receiving transformers made ​​in the form of a delay line half a period long. This way both grounded points are decoupled.
3 mA
1 mA
150 km
Here it is seen that the current generator which produces more than three times the load current. It is obvious that this ratio increases with the length of the line.

29. B-Line Simulation
In the case of B-Line system load is balanced signal, so there is no reactive energy. This is clearly seen from the simulation scheme similar to the previous one.
1 mA
1 mA
In the case of B-Line current of generator essentially equals to the current in the load.

30. 5. Experiments B-Line in JCT (50 Hz)
In addition to conducting simulations and experiments, it was decided to make an experimental line between two campuses in Jerusalem Colledge of Technology JCT. The transmitting part (source) is housed in the first building. The first receiver (light bulb 60 W) is located in another building. The second receiver (the same bulb) is located in the first building, but in a different room. These buildings have different grounding points. The wires between the source and receivers are 300m long. 220 V voltage is supplied to the source. The source has one single-wire output for each receiver. The source and its inverters are not connected to the earth (see scheme in next slide).
That is, there is a grounding of both lines in the receiving ends only. One of the buildings has ​​a separate ground for the B-line.

31. JCT experiment B-Line scheme
House 1
 200 m
House 2

32. Experiment B-Line in JCT (300 kHz)
To demonstrate that the ground is not involved in the transmission of the electrical signal, another experiment was carried out at a frequency of 300 Hz. In this case it is possible to make inverter as a 500 m long line (half period delay line) without any connection to the ground.
The signal source was a laboratory generator. We made both cases A-Line and B-Line circuits. In both schemes were obtained on100 ohms the same voltage 350 mV

34. 6. Grounding problems solutions
The better zeroing is grounding. To do this, you must make several parallel lines at a distance of not less than 10m. The resistance of the grounding us usual about 10 ohms (deep but not between two points close to the surface). Take an example. We have a system with a voltage of 45 kV and a power of 45 megawatts. Then the current is approximately equal to 1 kA. Suppose we agree to lose 1% on the grounding voltage, i.e. 0.5 kV. Then the total grounding resistance should be 0.5 kV / 0.5 kA = 0.5 ohms. So we need 20 separate lines. That is needed area 5 * 4 = 20m2 in every ground will flow current of 50 A.
11111

35. There are several methods for essentially decreasing current in ground.
1. If in transmitting system we have several three phase lines going to different places, we can use different polarity in each line. In this case one can combine zero points. The currents ground will be compensated. In this case the system can work without grounding.
Grid 1
11 KV or 400 V
11 KV 2
11 KV 3
11 KV
Zero
Grid
11 KV or 400 V
11 KV
Zero

36. 2. In some countries can use grounding only for protection for fear that an electric current may harm living beings in the ground.
In this case we can propose the following solution. It is known that it is impossible to detect the current at a distance more than 10 m from grounding. To eliminate the environmental effect the grounding can be made in specially dig well. The ground inside of these wells is isolated by dielectric walls.
Note, that the methods proposed in this and the next two slides require experimental verification.

37. 3. If the system works in salt sea water, so wire with not large length can give very good zeroing.1 2
11 KV 3
11 KV
Zero
Single line

38. Reservoirs with ground and with wire may be flat and covered with concrete or asphalt, so that they will not take up useful space.

39. 4. If is impossible to divide source and load for decreasing current to ground, then must increase voltage in line..
The effect of the increased line voltage to very high value is demonstrated in the simulation shown below. We used the source and load voltage of 10 and line voltage of 10 Mega Volt
One can see that in this case even grounding with resistance 1 MOhm does not affect the current in the load.
That is, in this case there is very little current goes to the ground, and very short wire can be used for grounding.
Voltage, shown here has not yet been achieved. But these values help to explain that zeroing is a relative term. Here grounding with resistance of 1 MOhm can be considered as zeroing.

40. 7. About power losses, interferences and safety
The main advantage of one-wire system is the use of one wire instead of two or four, which leads to a drastic reduction in the cost of the electrical system.
Another important advantage is the decrease of losses in the transmission of electrical energy. The calculations and simulations show that the mutual influence of the two relatively closely spaced conductors with currents of opposite polarity, results in an increase in resistance of both wires.
This problem does not exist in the one-wire system 40

41. Electric field and corona effect
High voltage between wires creates an electric field and corona effect. In addition to the possible harmful effects on the environment, these factors lead to additional losses. Remember that a linear voltage in a three-phase system in a square root of three times more than voltage in each phase.
One wire
Two wires
As a result of high voltage, the ionization rate increases, and, consequently, current crown and loss of energy are increasing. This regime is called bipolar corona.
This problem is non-existent in the B-Line system

42. Possible options for short circuits
A-Line
B-Line
Less wires - less short-circuits - fewer accidents

43. 8.

44. Tomorrow

45. Requires sufficient spacing between the cables
Today
Underground Electric Transmission Cables
Requires sufficient spacing between the cables

46. Today High Voltage Electricity in Centre of Jerusalem
It is very expensive to build tunnels for underground cables

47. Tomorrow

48. Tomorrow
One cable - no tunnels

49. Today
Feed line
DC generator
Stray currents
Suction lines

50. One-pole DC generator
Tomorrow
No stray currents problems

51. Tomorrow
Tomorrow
B-Line method allows to use very low frequency signal to one wire of electrical transport system without using rails. In this case the train can use effective three phase motor. 51

52. Today Tomorrow Today, many countries use a three-pin electrical plug.
One can use the two pin electrical plug; one pin will be active and the other will be connected to local protective ground.

53. Today
Corona radiation

54. Tomorrow
No corona

55. Conclusion
The studies, simulations and experiments above have shown that any electric line can be replaced by a single-wire.
The single-wire (B-Line) method was proposed and checked. The B-line can operate at all frequencies, including DC, and for all voltages.
B-line method allows:
Significantly reducing the number of wires on the globe;
Significantly reduce the cost of construction of high-voltage electrical systems;
Extensive use of underground and underwater power lines for energy transmission;
Reducing number of accidents associated with electrical systems;
Reducing losses in transmitting by twisted pair;
Use three-phase motor and do not use the rails for power transmission in electric transportation systems.