singleconductor

Singleconductor is a term used in electrical engineering to describe systems and cables that carry electrical current on a single conducting path, with the return path provided by a secondary path other than a dedicated conductor. The term is not universally standardized and is often used informally to refer to arrangements where one conductor carries the active signal or power, while the return path is provided by an earth, enclosure, shield, or surrounding medium. The closest widely recognized instance is single-wire earth return (SWER), a rural power-distribution method in which one live conductor carries the load current and the earth itself completes the circuit back to the source. In signaling and some audio or control networks, single-conductor schemes may use a single conductor for the signal with return via shielding, chassis, or ground reference.

Technical considerations include impedance, insulation, and the quality of the return path. Excessive earth impedance, moisture, or grounding variations can cause voltage drop, noise, and instability. Because the return path is not a dedicated conductor, safety and isolation become critical design concerns. Proponents highlight reduced material costs and simpler routing, particularly in low-density infrastructure, while critics note higher susceptibility to interference and stringent safety and regulatory requirements.

See also: SWER, single-wire power distribution, two-wire systems, coaxial cable, grounding, earth return.