My understanding of the standard US system is that the distribution transformer is fed with one phase, the secondary side of the transformer has a centre-tap neutral and two live phases which have 120v to neutral and 240v phase-phase.

Good to know.

> My understanding of the standard US system is that the distribution transformer is fed with one phase, the secondary side of the transformer has a centre-tap neutral and two live phases which have 120v to neutral and 240v phase-phase.

yes

And yes, nearly every home is served by 220 V phase-to-phase with a center tap. Am I understanding right that UK houses are only fed by single phase at 230 V with neutral?

Is the reason we have pole mounted transformers in the US really because of voltage drop though? It seems to me the reason would be they are inherently smaller due to the lower voltages, higher frequency, and only converting one phase from the distribution side. The UK has lower frequency, higher voltage, and apparently has three output phases which seems like it would require a larger transformer.

That's right, typically houses along a street will alternate phases to maintain overall balance. Standard used to be 60A supply but is now 100A which I believe would be considered low in the US but we don't usually have residential air conditioners and houses are smaller and heated with gas.

I have been told that this is the reason but there are other reasons to prefer the US arrangement so it may not be the only one. US system is more resilient to secondary failure because fewer customers are fed per secondary and you have a much more extensive HV network which is more flexible.

UK distribution transformers are much, much larger. Looks like this: https://cms.esi.info/Media/productImages/Expanded_Metal_Comp... My point was that it is easier to enclose a smaller number of large assets than a large number of small ones which is relevant to fire risk.