Feeder
A circuit carrying electricity out into a local area.
A source at the left supplies a branching circuit. Dots mark connection points; equipment details are omitted.
A distribution feeder is a circuit supplying electricity from a substation into a service area. It may branch into smaller circuits and connect loads, local generation, and storage.
Following a local circuit
A feeder carries power from a distribution substation into a local service area. Branches can supply streets, transformers, and individual customers. Generation and storage may connect along it as well.
Many feeders are operated radially, with one normal supply path, while others use more interconnected arrangements. Switches can divide a feeder into sections or allow an alternative supply when the design permits.
Why it matters
A feeder is a useful scale for understanding local network capacity, outages, and the effect of new connected resources.