25 Hz at Bethlehem Steel

Author

Blalock, Thomas J.

Volume

6

Issue

5

fYear

2008

Firstpage

66

Lastpage

78

Abstract

The history articles in the January/February and March/April 2008 issues of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine described the establishment of a 25-Hz alternating current (ac) system for electric power distribution in the Niagara Falls, New York, region during the 1890s. The choice of this low frequency was related to the use of large ac generators operating at slow speeds as well as the use of slow speed rotary converters to provide direct current (dc) power for then existing distribution networks in downtown Buffalo. Similarly, the use of 25-Hz power became standard in steel mills during the early 20th century as a result of the extensive use of large, slow-speed gas engines to drive alternators.

Keywords

alternators; furnaces; rotary convertors; steel manufacture; Bethlehem steel; New York; Niagara Falls; alternating current system; alternators; direct current power; distribution networks; downtown Buffalo; electric power distribution; frequency 25 Hz; gas engine prime movers; large ac generators; large slow-speed gas engines; slow speed rotary converters; steel mills; steel plants; AC generators; Analog-digital conversion; Engines; Frequency conversion; Fuels; Furnaces; History; Iron; Milling machines; Steel;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Power and Energy Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1540-7977

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/MPE.2008.927981

Filename

4610296