60 Hz line frequency may get looser in the future?

[Enzo]

I don't have the book either. I could be wrong, but my suspicion is that it is a voltage regulator circuit for the secondary side. If so, to meet the concern of the original poster, ALL his gear would have to be retrofitted with add-on voltage regulators.

[g1]

Yeah, add on regulators in addition to the upgraded transformer he mentioned. (So you can regulate the now appropriate secondary voltage I guess?).
All this from a 50 cent op amp.
Well, if only it worked that way on my planet http://music-electronics-forum.com/i...s/confused.png
Oh well.

[greekie]

Here in Denmark the country is split into two parts:

Zealand with the capitol Copenhagen and some smaller islands, that share the power grid with Sweden (and I think Norway, Finland and so forth) which we buy power from and sell power to.

Jutland, where the power grid is shared with Germany, Netherlands and so forth.


What this means is, that there is two voltages - 235-245V in Zealand, and 220-228 in Jutland. This can sometimes mean a lot to especially old vintage equipment that worked fine in one side of the country, but brought 30 kilometers to the other side, and it's cookin'!

It also means that the train going between the two parts of the country actually runs without power for a fraction of a second, when switching from one system to the other.

YM2C

[Satamax]

A 50cent op amp will keep the line frequency at 60hz? Or compensate for higher line voltage? I have some old radios from the 30's and 40's that need 110Volts so they can't be used with our 125V. I am very interested in how I can correct this with 50 cent op amp. Please provide schematic.
http://music-electronics-forum.com/i...ilies/wink.png

http://music-electronics-forum.com/t2322/

[Jazz P Bass]

I have a Kill-O-Watt meter on my test bench.
You can monitor line voltage, watts drawn, & frequency.
Off & on I have looked at the frequency & it is dead on at 59.9 Hz.
It does not move at all.
Conversely, the line voltage is all over the place. 118 - 122Vac.

[J M Fahey]

I really wish we would get a 3 phase home connection, although it would cost a fortune, it is the cheapest way to run a motor, heat pumps would be reasonable to operate!

Maybe it's not that expensive, definitely not so on new installations, only problem is that there is already a zillion dollars worth of old equipment, which will be used up to the last electron.
Here in Argentina the regular City installation is 3 phase 3x380V, 220V from phase to neutral.
Relatively cheap and efficient 3 phase transformers live on every corner in downtown areas, and more separate ones elsewhere.
3 phase lines run along every street, and houses are connected sequentially to different phases to even out the load. The final amount of copper wiring is about the same, the savings run in the transformers and because *anybody* (even myself at a regular home) can run efficient triphasic motors if so needed.
All elevators, water pumps, etc. at residential (not necessarily industrial) buildings run on 380V triphasic.
High power on incredibly (for you) thin wires.
My own house is residential classified (so I don't pay extra taxes), whenever I need to hook up my triphasic magnetizer I walk to the utility cabinet just outside my door and clip 3 wires there.
Very convenient.

[Bill Moore]

Juan, do you have all 3 phases from a single transformer? What costs us here, and why most of us that have low power 3 phase service, have the 2 transformer system, rather than the 3. A single with 3 windings would be great, but you would still need 2 more primary lines.

[J M Fahey]

Yes, all 3 phases from a single, relatively small (for the power it handles) transformer.
Power is generated and distributed already in 3 phases from the Hydraulic power stations (1000 to 2000 miles away), 2 Nuclear ones (these are close, less than 100 miles away) , plus, for absolute emergencies only, very dirty and obsolete coal fired ones (unfortunately less than 6 miles from my home).
Don't know what the long distance voltages are, but within the city they run 12000 or 16000 Volt buried lines and substations lower that to 3600 or 1600V which turn into 380V just on the corner of my block.
Triphasic all the way, with what I guess are 3 core transformers.
Neutral is locally generated. They *do* run a puny neutral wire but it's only to equalize small load differences.
On my street power cabinet I usually get one almost perfect 220V phase, a slightly higher one (224 to 226) which I use, and a slightly lower one.
*If* you have to make a new installation, It costs the same or even less to do it the right way.
I guess the dual transformer you see is just a patch to an aging system.
EDIT:
I forgot. There's also another advantage to having triphasic everywhere.
In large rooms (shoppings, large halls, bus stations and the like), they run those 3 wires everywhere and connect fluorescent tubes (or discharge lamps) to alternate phases: it kills the stroboscopic effect.
When one tube turns off because of zero-crossing, two nearby ones are on. It evens out nicely.

[Jazz P Bass]

I live in SoEast Pennsylvania.
If you want 3 phase hook up, you are charged a "demand fee".
Whether you are plugging in a 1/4hp motor or a 100hp compressor, you are charged for the simple fact that there was a demand.
The rates are reflected "by" the demand but still, there is that friggin charge.

[J M Fahey]

That's the anti-industrialist mind which is sinking us everywhere .
(And raising China because it's the exact opposite there).
I said we *have* the triphase line upto our doors, but they connect only one phase to each home.
If I want it inside my home, they become paranoid about the huge industry I may be hiding, avoiding all those taxes, OSHA regulations and such, so I must *prove* I really need that, as a "civilian" that is.
The usual bypass is to rent a three-phase huge air-conditioner , have the installation approved, and then sending it back.
They never again check back.
All my motors, including carpentry machines, compressor, lathe, sheet metal puncher, etc. are monophasic, but I have 2 magnetizers; the small one is 220V monophasic, but the large one is not.
Given their monstrous consumption, although it takes a couple seconds per speaker, I go out with a long wire and clamp them straight to the three phase fuses at the junction box, for which I have a key. (don't ask).
Before stoning me, remember I may magnetize up to 50 or 60 speakers per month, tops.
Actual monetary value of three phase energy I use is nil.
I may take 5 to 10 minutes *per month*, total.