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nuby
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Why is household AC 60hz? Is 60hz more efficient than higher frequencies, if so, why? I've searched on the internet but I can't find a good answer. Thanks in advance.
leftyguitarjo said:60 cycles per second
60 seconds in a minute
60 minuets in an hour
I guess whoever standardized it just thought it sounded good.
TVP45 said:Real possibility. Tesla was nutty as a fruitcake.
pam said:60 is useful for some electric clocks that use synchronous motors.
I visited an electric power plant once, and they had one engineer whose job was to keep the frequency as close to 60 as possible. This is not easy as the load varies. They said it was important for use in synchronous equipment.
The AC frequency, or alternating current frequency, is the number of cycles or oscillations per second in an AC signal. It is measured in Hertz (Hz) and determines the rate at which the current changes direction.
AC frequency refers to the rate of change in direction of the current, while DC frequency refers to the rate of change in magnitude of the current. AC frequency is typically higher than DC frequency and is used in most household and industrial electrical systems.
The standard frequency for AC power in most countries is 50 or 60 Hz. In the United States, the standard frequency is 60 Hz, while in Europe it is 50 Hz. These frequencies were chosen based on the optimal balance between cost, efficiency, and safety.
The AC frequency can affect the operation of electrical devices by changing the speed at which they operate. For example, motors and generators are designed to run at a specific frequency, so a change in AC frequency can cause them to speed up or slow down. It can also impact the efficiency and lifespan of certain devices.
In most cases, the AC frequency cannot be changed without altering the entire electrical system. However, some specialized equipment, such as frequency converters, can convert AC power from one frequency to another. This is often used in international settings where different frequencies are used.