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I think the point of the "packets" is just a way to achieve the safety aspect. Since it is putting out significant power then I am guessing that the receiver end sends digital data back after every power period to say exactly what power it received, so the transmitter end can check if that is right. If not it will shut down. If it didn’t check then a fault could set fire to something.

The shortness of the power bursts is also to limit the damage to anyone touching the wires. If it can precisely tell that all the power it transmits was definitely received OK then it isn't going anywhere else - so must be safe.

So a very complicated way to achieve safety for an otherwise dangerous system.

Slightly off topic: if this kind of system was used for the third rail supply for trains then we would not need those hideously ugly overhead lines.