TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Re: Buffalo NY 25 hz Power

Re: Buffalo NY 25 hz Power

Michael D. Sullivan (userid@camsul.example.invalid)
Fri, 17 Mar 2006 02:13:31 GMT

DLR wrote:

> John Bachtel wrote:

>> In 1957 and 1958, after graduating from Kenmore High School, near
>> Buffalo, I was a turbine operator at Niagara Mohawk's Charles R. Huntley
>> Steam station in Tonawanda, on the Niagara River. We were still
>> operating units 25 hz 24, 25 and 26 and a reversable frequency changer.
>> Total cap. was abt. 200 MW, alongside 1000 MW of 60 Hz power in the
>> newer sections of the plant. Operation varied with the business
>> climate, from full bore 24/7 to daily startup/ shutdown, occasionally
>> with only one unit. Interesting work ... I got to do the throttle ups
>> and enjoy the synchrozation process during startup. It could get
>> dicey with our 30-50 year old equipment and synchroscope like a giant
>> clock up on the wall. Equally exciting were sudden power dumps as
>> happened during severe weather. Big building quake, followed by opening
>> of steam safety valves atop the adjoining boiler house.

> Who bought this 25Hz power?

Probably transit systems. The New York City subways operated on DC,
created from rectified AC in the 25-30 Hz range. Probably still do.

Michael D. Sullivan
Bethesda, MD (USA)
(Replace "example.invalid" with "com" in my address.)

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