Good morning!!!!

[Wagtail]

Good (Saturday) morning. Overnight Low of 14.5C and it's presently 23.1C, mostly clear with a howling, gusty wind. There was 2.9mm in the gauge @ 0900. (we'll have to see if my rain gauge 'amount' will get passed the filter ) ((Ha! No, it didn't))

Everything was accomplished yesterday, including finally stacking the cut blackwood limbs. The very welcome rain started around 1500, just in time for my Doctor's appointment = all's well in that department.

What with this wind and no word, yet, on the hay delivery, I'll simply have an indoor day today.

That's about it, take care all.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

The stuff I'm designing for would melt the aluminum to your head in about a second flat! You think your little 1 kW microwave oven can cook a dinner plate pretty quick? Try 100 kW directed through a high-gain horn antenna! Not usually something you want to be anywhere near, when they power on.

One of the more amusing problems we watch our customers deal with, is setting fire to the absorber cones in their anechoic chambers, or to the plywood coverings many try to use to weather-proof their outdoor stations.

I've told before the story of one of our customers killing a coworker, when accidentally energizing an antenna with a man out on the test pad. He was about 300 feet away from the antenna, as I recall. Death was slow, something like 3 days, due to many cooked organs.

I have a question for you.
I've read about Thomas Edison (DC advocate) and George Westinghouse (AC) & how George won...later 1800s supplying electricity to homes. Why 60hz though? I have some old military equipment at the homeplace and (from memory) transformers were operated on 440hz. That higher frequency meant two transformers, one 60hz, other 440hz the 440 would be way smaller, same current rating.
60hz is standard now but shame we didn't start with higher frequency.
I've always wanted to make a very high voltage Tesla coil, plans to make one.
Nikola Tesla and his Wardenclyffe Tower is fascinating.

 

[ponytug]

I have a question for you.
I've read about Thomas Edison (DC advocate) and George Westinghouse (AC) & how George won...later 1800s supplying electricity to homes. Why 60hz though? I have some old military equipment at the homeplace and (from memory) transformers were operated on 440hz. That higher frequency meant two transformers, one 60hz, other 440hz the 440 would be way smaller, same current rating.
60hz is standard now but shame we didn't start with higher frequency.
I've always wanted to make a very high voltage Tesla coil, plans to make one.
Nikola Tesla and his Wardenclyffe Tower is fascinating.

For a longer answer, Wikipedia has a nice entry.

Utility frequency - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In the early days, there were a variety of frequencies: 25Hz, 50Hz, 60Hz being common ones. 25Hz was dropped in favor of 50/60Hz because everybody could see lights flicker at 25Hz, though some folks can see it flicker at 60Hz.

Ontario hung onto 25Hz power until the 50s.

400Hz is used where weight is an issue as the transformers can be very small, and the rectified AC is a smoother DC than a lower frequency, such as 60Hz. That helps reduce noise into radios and electronics. Using 3phase 400Hz can get a pretty clean DC by rectification. One sees 400Hz on aircraft and satellites for the most part. The downside to the higher frequency of 400Hz is that it does not transmit well over long distances as the wire inductance becomes problematic.

With improvements in semiconductors and switching power supplies, there are now a fair number of long distance power lines that run on DC. One of the early ones runs from Southern California to Washington, the Pacific Intertie;

Pacific DC Intertie - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

It uses the earth (ocean) as one of the conductors, saving costs, and energy.

Does that answer your question?

All the best,

Peter

 

[Looking4new]

The temperature nose dived. 30°F now and going down to 16 overnight. Some snow happening.
The driveway will be frozen again and I don't need to worry about frozen ruts.

 

[WinterDeere]

Why 60hz though? I have some old military equipment at the homeplace and (from memory) transformers were operated on 440hz.

@ponytug already nailed one of the biggest issues: loss.

Losses come in two primary forms, conductive losses that scale with current, and dielectric losses that scale with voltage. Both types of loss scale with frequency, but the conductive losses are more interesting, and easier to describe.

When you look at a shiny smooth copper conductor, you have to remember that on the scale of an electron, microscopic surface flaws and scratches make that smooth surface looks like a mountainous terrain. DC current travels thru the bulk of the wire, even current density distrubution throughout the entire cross-section of the conductor. But as frequency climbs, the current density pulls to the surface of the conductor, so a larger fraction of the total current (i.e. power) is trying to flow over those surface imperfections, which causes the loss to climb.

I guess there would be other challenges, too. For example, this tendency for current to flow on the surface rather through the core of a conductor, limits the useful diameter of a conductor as the frequency increases. You've probably heard the term "skin effect", which is really just the depth measured down from the surface of a conductor toward its interior, over which 50% of the total current density flows. Skin depth decreases as frequency increases, with something like 9 mm at 60 Hz down to just 3.5mm at 400 Hz, in copper. So going to a higher frequency not only increases losses due to increasing current density at that rough surface of the wire, but also limits the effective cross secion of the wire, making many more challenges for the guys who figure out these complex wire stranding configurations.

There's also the issue of reflected power, when your source and load impedances are mismatched, the impact of which is dictated by the electrical length (in wavelengths) of the circuit. You usually start to see these effects when the distance between generator and load approaches 1% of a wavelength, and they can start to get really ugly when circuit length approaches 10% of a wavelength. Of course, circuits look much longer at 400 Hz than at 60 Hz, measured in wavelengths.

Anyway, these are mostly educated guesses, since I don't work in that industry. I build transmission lines for a living, but all radar and radio frequency stuff, not utility scale power distribution.

 

[mostly_gas]

Good evening all. 42ºF for the start, partly cloudy sky, light wind. Light wind, sky became overcast, then partial clearing back to partly cloudy, and high temp was 67ºF. Made coffee to start day, office work, reloaded firewood in the wagon and wheelbarrow, had to pump up tire on wheelbarrow almost no pressure in tire. Got bike ride in, and got two bills ready to mail. Outside Christmas lights should come down Monday afternoon, arranges for someone to watch me while I am on roof. Hopefully they will call 911 if I fall off.
Resuming Monday evening in skim read mode:
Kyle traveling wire EDM have been an essential process in the tool making industry. Definitely not a time waste.
Tuesday
Buppies hope all went well on job and Holley being lass aggressive about running away. prayers sent.
Ken hope they can help you with what they find prayers sent.
David condolences on loosing a buddy, My condolences.
Thomas don't like to hear you and doc not see eye to eye.
Resuming Tuesday 9:51 PM in normal mode.
Kyle pretty worm down there. Thanks for the reminder on smart TV.
Phil hope you didn't get too much ice. Hope Kubota work went well. Hope you got your nap
Wednesday
Ron sorry you had to order new filters, thanks for the reminder though. Hope you were able to conserve energy today. Nice dove pic
Drew hope you work out chicory mix. Hope blower replacement in car went well. Hope you rescheduled the epidural.
Scott(vt) glad you didn't fall getting the paper. Hope oil change went well.
Bill hope decoration removal and storage went well. Glad you got hike in, glad you didn't fall in the slippery section.
Happy(NC) good to hear progress on compressor.
Mike hope the insulation work goes smoothly. I hope the chaos at work settles down.
Drew thank for the Rico's hot cakes pic.
Frits hope the firewood work went well. Thanks for commuting story.
Ken glad ice is melting and hope you had a nice day.
Bill enjoy your January thaw.
Buppies sounds like Precious has interesting toy
Paul sorry the FAA learning so poorly designed. Glad you have found a way to have less wasted time.
Dennis hope you enjoy your warmup. Hope you got th pellet box refilled. Maybe if you went out on the porch the kitties might be happier
David we all have days like that. Hope your Wednesday was better.
Two_Bit thanks for sharing about Michael Reagan. No soup, stew of chili on menu here
Bill I think I will pass on the 125 pages.
Thomas glad day went well. Are youy getting healed from fall?
Dennis glad you had such a good day. Hope you get all the cameras set up and working correctly.
Randy(wag) glad you survived the temp spike. I were shorts outside when hot. Glad the gin and tonics helped.
Drew have fun with getting your coffee with chicory optimized. Glad fan replacement went well except for not getting all the nus out
Thursday
Ron freezing fog is when the water condolences into fog but doesn't freeze till it hits a surface. Sorry about runaround on phone. Hope shopping went well. Nice woodpecker shot.
Drew hope breakfast went well. Hope you can talk them into the good stuff for the new flooring. Sorry to hear about all the flu.
Scott(vt) and the paperwork for radioactive flights is impressive to say the least.
Scott(vt) hope you had fun with all the grands. Since you work outside, can't be all bad working on the pick day
Buppies sorry about the shock to system to be back at work. Sorry about pump out again.
Mike hope you got dog, shopping and insurance taken care of.
Bill hope January thaw went without incident.
Happy(NC) glad you got work don e on compressor and honey do list all accomplished. Enjoy your morning.
Masseyrider welcome back. Sorry the food doesn't compare to Europe.
Dennis hope you can cut back on the stuff you have Hope shelf assembly goes well.
more catch up later
prayer for all, especially Jay/Peg, Kyle /Daughter, /mom's breathing, /son's migraines, Mike /BIL in FL, Ron /heart, David(moss) /remodel, /divorce, Buppies /cancer, parathyroid, blood sugar /wife, Thomas /gout, Phil /reflux, Frits /veteran son with mental issues, /granddaughter with Evans Syndrome, Ken /chronic fatigue, Diet not working, Randy(wag) /sister stoke, Scott(vt) /wife's back pain, Don, / BIL motorcycle accident, Steppenwolfe /son-auto immune disorder, Grev /wife's eye, Ted /knee recovery, /retirement & disability red tape, /family issues, /wife back issues and cancer, Lou /eye issues, /heart issues, /wife hip replacement, Doug and wife/health issues, / hand nerve and surgery, /fall and recovery, / wife headaches and heart eval, / David(sadamo)/Sophie's hip or leg pain, Eye recovery, /back issue, Scaredy/shoulder dislocation, /marriage dissolving, / friend stop drinking, Dennis /neighbor issues, /brother's lymphoma, /dad surgery recovery, Drew /back operation issues, /friend's wife cancer diagnosis and recovery, Scotty /back pain, Helogabals /wife's friend situation, Fatjay /father broken hip, Ukraine war, and Country

 

[two_bit_score]

We made it through the gymnastics class or whatever they called it with our granddaughter. She did great in my opinion. She wound up organizing a party visit with some friends to Chick-fil-A which was a lot of fun, even for us.

Weather turned rainy while we were leaving Chick-fil-A and we had rain off and on all day. After we got home the granddaughter resisted taking a nap so we went outside to the swing set and after 20 minutes swinging and talking about nearly everything under the sun it started sprinkling again so inside we went. Took her about 5 seconds to crawl up on the couch, pull up a blanket and go right to sleep.

Got caught up in a long conversation with a client about Special District taxing authority (Hospital, ESD, Water, Special roads, etc) that almost wore me out when they can't realize that almost all of those are subject to the specific enabling legislation at the time of creation and almost every one is slightly different. So there is no one answer for everyone except they are all too greedy and should have to ask voter permission to do anything, IMHO.

The political environment is heating up too so, that resulted in another hour long conference call and a upcoming trip to Austin next week.

Hope everyone has a great evening/now morning since I started this and forgot to post it. Prayers for our Nation!

 

[mpham]

Morning all!
Woke up at 2:30! Need to figure out how to sleep later.
Currently 38 going to a nice 40's.

Kubota water pump swap was a success! Also performed a service on it as it hasn't been done in years! Owner does not take care of it! Leaking tire repaired. Valve stem hit something and was leaking. I changed the worn out feet on his snow blower while it was in here. He should be good for a while.

Neck shots done on Thursday. Waiting for the initial injection sites to calm down. Nothing done around here since. We will be going for a ride today so will see how I do.

Mostly going to be a putter day I think.
Happy Birthday R!
Hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

 

[daugen]

good morning all
41 going up to 43 with rain coming in at lunch time

lot of interesting electrical info here.
I never understood the skin effect of wires, no need to...but interesting that AC current wants to flow
on the surface, not through wire like DC.

have some errands to run this morning, then on a wet afternoon hope to get some paperwork done inside.
going to pick up endoscope from brother and will try to find any remaining nut debris in my car heater blower.

 

[ronjhall]

Drinking hot coffee. 29° with cloudy skies this morning. Heading to 36° with light rain and snow in late afternoon. Yesterday started out OK. Got net off garden pond an set out to dry. Got paperwork done for HRA. Then a big bang and electrical sparks from couple of lights. Had high voltage on my monitors. shut everything down. Which started up generator. Several item did not work. Found several circuit breakers had tripped. Rest them. Everything started up except 2 wall plugs and furnace. Found that Honeywell thermostat needs a new control head. Got one on order. Got jumper in place to run furnace when house get to cold. Still need to get 2 wall plugs working. Got all wall plugs cover off. While I have covers off will spray foam around boxes. Drain commissioner did show up. Had a good talk with him. I think we have a plan to get the double billing fixed. I have 6 other neighbors asking same with me.
Off to Menard's for electrical parts.
Power came back on at 6pm yesterday.

Everyone stay safe and well.

Good Morning All.

 

[daugen]

Ron, sounds like you got a good electrical surge there. Any idea what caused it?
I'm surprised that modern building codes don't require some form of electrical suppression built in.
As in an easy to remove big MOV, like the disconnects on your outside a/c compressor.
of course a big surge will just blow through the MOV at times.

folks would bring in a lot of crazy burned up electronics to my Radio Shack, and I quickly learned it was worth
me handing out a free 3 dollar single receptacle surge protector with every new tv I sold.
And I got almost none of those tvs, computers or stereos back. Surge protectors work, except for the "big one".

 

[daugen]

was reading an article on California's high voltage transmission, and found their process of grounding the system
very interesting. Their system is a mix of AC and DC transmission lines, requiring converters and inverters in different areas.

RS, be happy with your ground wire. Just think, you could have run it up to the Great Lakes...

The Sylmar grounding system is a line of 24 silicon-iron alloy electrodes submerged in the Pacific Ocean at Will Rogers State Beach[5] suspended in concrete enclosures about 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m) above the ocean floor.
The grounding system at Celilo consists of 1,067 cast iron anodes buried in a two-foot (60 cm) trench of petroleum coke, which behaves as an electrode, arranged in a ring of 2.0 miles (3,255 m) circumference at Rice Flats (near Rice, Oregon)

looks like with grounding quantity is needed plus quality

 

[ronjhall]

Ron, sounds like you got a good electrical surge there. Any idea what caused it?
I'm surprised that modern building codes don't require some form of electrical suppression built in.
As in an easy to remove big MOV, like the disconnects on your outside a/c compressor.
of course a big surge will just blow through the MOV at times.

folks would bring in a lot of crazy burned up electronics to my Radio Shack, and I quickly learned it was worth
me handing out a free 3 dollar single receptacle surge protector with every new tv I sold.
And I got almost none of those tvs, computers or stereos back. Surge protectors work, except for the "big one".

Talked to repair guy out looking for problem. They found a very large tree that had fallen over the 2 main power lines feeding my area.
My home is not very modern. Parts of it started in 1936.
I do have a whole house surge protector. Big electronics like TVs and computers have UPS’s on them.
Found why the 2 wall plugs did not work. Bad connection at wall plug that feeds other 2 plugs. Need a new wall plug. Now all I have to do is wait for new $350 thermostats from Supply House on Monday.

 

[Looking4new]

Good morning, the low is 25 and and only going up to 27°F. Wind NNW6 mph. Snow. Between today and tomorrow when this snow 'event' will most likely end, we should have about 8" on the ground. Definitely a plowable event.

I'll get yesterdays town/dump run done. gotta drop by the dope store for 2 scripts.

Ron, I find it interesting that the power company won't accept any responsibility for power surges, almost always blaming them on an "act of G-d". Yet IF they had burried the lines in the first place then they wouldn't have the problem of (a) falling trees, or (b) drunks hitting poles when they jump out in front of them.

Time for me to get on to a different topic.

Have a safe day all

 

[scott_vt]

Good Tractor Morning WinterDeere,

Try 100 kW directed through a high-gain horn antenna! Not usually something you want to be anywhere near, when they power on.

I would like to be about a mile away with a good set of binoculars
That is some very interesting work you do. Wish I was closer

I know there are groups plod Amateur Operators that are really deep into UHF transmissions, I have always been an HF guy myself. I started out on 80 and 40 m and really haven’t strayed to far. I really like 20 also but that’s new to me since I got back in the hobby. Yesterday was a great day, I worked Bulgaria on 20 m and a bit later i worked Romania on 40 m. I’m up to 60 countries, and I’m really hoping to make the DXCC Honors in my first year back
W1HLP

 

[scott_vt]

Good Tractor Morning Peter,

Do you have the space for a delta configuration like @B7510HSD?

Peter, the Ct house sits on an acre, in Vermont I have 8 acres of open meadow and a couple acres of woods. So it would have to be up there. I really am looking forward to a good antenna up there, because we are up at 1200 ft and on the crest of a good sized hill. The last time we went up it was in the single numbers temp wise and we had winds gusting 40 to 50 so it was out of the question
Soon as it warms up I’m going to see what kind of results I can get out of a dipole up 50 or 60 ft

 

[scott_vt]

Good Tractor Morning Dennis,
Wow, wasn’t that nice that they came back with a serving of potato’s for you I I would also recommend them if it was me.

Kathleen and I went out for breakfast yesterday after dropping her car off at the dealer, we went to the State Diner and had a very necessary breakfast with home fries just the way I like them

 

[scott_vt]

Good Tractor Morning Fuddy,

Nikola Tesla and his Wardenclyffe Tower is fascinating.

Tesla was so ahead of his time, what a fascinating man, absolutely brilliant, and smarter than Edison IMHO.