Limp Arbor wrote:
On Feb 3, 2:45 pm, wrote:
....
The unbalanced portion of the 240V service current wants to go back to
the transformer via the neutral wire. If the service neutral is
unhooked, it
will attempt to go back via the ground connection and the earth. But
exactly what path it takes is not determined. It depends on the
resistance
of the earth between the two point, and it's not going to be a
beeline.
If a swimming pool happens to bein that path, you could have parts of
the pool energized, at least to some extent. Would it be likely to
kill
someone, probably not, but who knows?

So I guess that is why you can't buy a "Worm Getter" anymore...

Some sections of the world where ground has a decent conductivity owing
to mineral concentrations have actually used single-wire distribution in
rural areas for cost-saving purposes where there is no return neutral;
all is ground. (Some areas of Canada did; haven't been up there in 20+
years so not sure if all is yet gone or not...)

--