In the case of feeders with a common neutral, what is one accepted configuration?

The accepted configuration for feeders with a common neutral includes having two sets of 4-wire or 5-wire feeders. This setup is particularly advantageous because it allows for balanced loading across the phases, which helps in reducing the neutral current.

In a 4-wire feeder, you typically have three phase conductors and one neutral conductor, while in a 5-wire feeder, you would have an additional grounding conductor. Having two set configurations enhances the efficiency of the electrical system while maintaining safety protocols. It prevents issues such as overheating in the neutral wire that can occur due to unbalanced loads, thus promoting safer and more reliable operations.

The other configurations, like only using single-phase circuits or only three-phase circuits, do not utilize the common neutral effectively in scenarios requiring higher capacity or where load balancing is crucial. They also do not take full advantage of the potential for reduced neutral currents, which is a significant benefit of the two sets of feeders approach.