directional cables?

Tbromgard, Aren't you glad you asked?

I love when a post starts a life of its own

The moniker contains the word simply, it was not an insult any more than referring to Mr. Romgard is.

But it was all possible due to flowing electrons. How are the electrons flowing through the conductors of an AC power distribution system fundamentally any different than water flowing in a hose?

Because the electrons do not flow in a power distribution system. They do not flow along the wire like water flows in a hose. That is a simple analogy used to try and get people with very limited knowledge of the topic at hand to get some sort of visual picture so they might better understand, but it breaks down. Electrons do not flow along the wire like water molecules in a hose. It isn't happening. They do not flow, they do not flow, they do not flow.

Visualize this. AC voltage at 60 Hz reverses polarity every 8 milliseconds. In the electron flow = electric charge flow = water flow model the electrons would have to flow first in one direction and then in the other. They would flow close to .7 the speed of light down the wire for 8 mS and then all turn around and flow back the other way for 8 mS and so on. A given electron would travel about a thousand miles and back 60 times a second. (186,000 m/s * .7 * .008)

Ok, one more, in your model electrons are flowing back and forth, however, in real life the energy is flowing continuously in one direction, power plant to your house. How can the charge carriers (electrons) be traveling back and forth when the charges are all going in one direction?

Do me a favor and google "electric current" and read through several of the definitions. They all say it is the flow of charge, nowhere does it say it is the flow of electrons.

I'm done. If you still insist that it is the flow of electrons then that will help you understand some of the basic principles so that is a good thing.

As an aside, I ran across this interesting article while googling about.. It directly refutes Garch's assertion that DC can only be used over short distances.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-voltage_direct_current

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Herman, So, which way do the cables point?

We've been over that. Most with any experience in the matter agree that it depends on the design of the cable and how the manufacturer decide to label his cables.

You insist it is signal flow dependent just like others insist electrons are flowing like water. Both ideas are wrong but you are free to believe what you wish.

Just out for a troll today?

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