I agree with Jack; if you own or build having your own transformer is well worth it. The installation was included in the price; don't remember the total cost now. You can also get a refurbished transformer and they will provide the various test results as well as a warranty. Another good thing is that no one can tap off your transformer without your permission (or wife's as it is). We spoke quite a bit with the folks at the branch in Tanjay and the transformer and our meter is "registered" to the wife so they won't tap off of it. Plus I check every time I'm home and it would be quite easy to see if someone attempted to come off it.

Even using a welder I have not seen our voltage drop more than 7 volts or so, reading it at the meter. I finally was able to talk the wife into putting a couple AC split units in so I will check more when I get home now that we have a bit more load but I can't see it affecting things too much as we are pretty energy efficient with the rest of the house.

A neighbor had me check their place and the voltage was in the 170 range, so 70 volts or so less than what I have at my place. Even though they have almost no load on their house, they are coming off a transformer with numerous other houses and a long secondary run.

Shawn