Why is the electrical frequency is 60 hertz or 50 hertz?

Answer 1

The frequency of 50 or 60 Hertz (cycles per second) was selected to reduce inductive power losses caused by long distance power line transmission.

These fairly low frequencies still enable alternating current to be converted to various voltages and currents using moderate sized Transformers at the point of power use.

The higher the power frequency the higher the inductive losses over a length of power transmission line.

For this reason frequencies higher than 60 Hertz are avoided.

Where possible electrical power transmission over long distances these days is accomplished with high voltage direct current, which is converted to alternating current near the usage areas.

Answer 2

To have the real answer you must first understand Capacitance, Resistance, and inductance. And since you probably don't want a physics lession. "Simply Put" the higher the frequency " f " the reduction of current " I ". in the 50's we ran off a 25Hz system, we then realized that it was much more efficient to run everything at 60hz, thus why we run 60hz. IF you want more info look up a RLC cct and you will understand more.

Answer 3

One critical relationship between line frequency and magnetic devices is efficiency. The physics of electric circuits tells us that AC magnetic devices increase in efficiency as line frequency increases. Another physical characteristic to keep in mind is that current flow in a conductor tends to be closer to the surface of the conductor as frequency increases. So as the frequency goes up, solid conductors begin to resemble hollow pipes as the electrons making up the current flow migrate to the outer surfaces of the conductors.

At these higher frequencies, the energy of the electrons has a tendency to actually leave the surface of the conductor. A common example of this principle in action is radio transmission. As the frequencies get higher, all of the energy can be made to leave the conductor in a form of energy called radio waves. This also helps explain why overhead power lines tend to interfere with radio reception (the annoying 60-cycle hum). What you are hearing is energy loss from the power lines becoming a radio wave that is intercepted by the radio receiver.

Consequently, the designers of electrical devices must strike a balance: the desire to use higher frequencies to improve the efficiency of converting electrical power to mechanical work and the need for lower frequencies to keep power from escaping the conductor as radio waves.

So the evolution of 50 and 60 hertz systems developed as a result of this need for balance, with additional influences coming from politics and geographic considerations. North America and other regions struck the balance at 60 hertz, while Europe settled on 50 hertz.

Answer 4

The European frequency standard, also widely-used elsewhere in the world, is 50 Hz, while the standard in North America, based on the US, is 60 Hz.

During the early years of the electricity supply industry, various frequencies were used locally, usually intended to suit the characteristics of different types of load -e.g. lighting, motor, etc. Over time, though, it was found that a single frequency would not only offer a good compromise for the demands of these various types of load, but would also allow standardisation to take place that would, eventually, enable the interconnection of different energy sources, and then lead to the development of the grid system. This move eventually led to the adoption of the European-wide 50-Hz frequency standard while, in North America, 60 Hz was chosen as a standard. Some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, use both 50-Hz and 60-Hz systems (sometimes within the same building)!

Some categories of electrical appliance and equipment are rated for the frequency, as well as the supply voltage, of the country in which they are marketed, so care has to be taken when importing or exporting such appliances between countries with different frequency standards.

There is no inherent advantage of one frequency standard over the other, so it is very unlikely that any effort will ever be made to make one or other an 'international' standard. International grid interconnections between countries with different frequency standards can be achieved through high-voltage DC links.

Answer 5

In India, throughout the UK and Europe and in many other countries generating frequency is 50 Hz, in many other countries like USA it is 60 Hz.

Most of our power plants are thermal power plants. It was proved that steam turbine has greater efficiency when the speed is 3000 to 3600 rpm. Our generators usually have 2 poles.

Synchronous speed = ( 120 * f ) / P

3000 = ( 120 * f ) / 2

f = 50 Hz for 3000 rpm

for 3600 rpm it is 60 Hz.

So in order to get overall plant efficiency higher, the steam turbine which is a mechanical part should also get higher efficiency, it will have higher efficiency only when it's speed is 3000 to 3600 rpm ( it is proved by a scientist ). So our frequency is 50 Hz since our generators run at 3000 rpm to get a higher plant efficiency.

Answer 6

To maintain a constant frequency level.

Answer

It needn't be. Some countries use 60 Hz systems.

Answer 7

great britan is 50 us is 60 most this will run but motors will run slower or faster