Why 50 Hz in India? Why 60 Hz in US?

     Hello all!!! For the past several days I had not posted in blog because of some personal reasons. Today we are gonna see something technical. As an Electrical Engineering student I used to think why in India we are using 50 Hz while in US they are using 60 Hz supply? In this post I am gonna share the reason behind this change.

     The electrical power grid has many generators, transformers, loads, substations, transmission lines. They are all connected together. So they need to work in a synchronous manner, which means they need to be working under same frequency. The frequency change of 0.2 Hz is only permitted. If the change in frequency exceeds the range then the whole power system will go down.

     The frequency depends on the rotating speed of synchronous generators in the power plants. The frequency decides the reactive power loses in the line.

History behind 50 Hz and 60 Hz

     The alternating current experiment was first conducted by William Stanley in Massachusetts. During this time, US used Arc Lightning system and the calculations shown that 60 Hz is the optimum frequency for higher efficiency. Thus US continued using 60 Hz and made it as the standard.

     Meanwhile in Europe AEG company started manufacturing generators which operates at 50 Hz. They had made this to compete with US. They also started manufacturing electrical equipment which operates at 50 Hz. Thus in Europe they started using 50 Hz.

History behind 50 Hz in India

    Europe had standardised 50 Hz in the beginning of 20th century. At the same time India was colonised by British people. They had came to India to take away the resources in India. But they had also done some major improvements and developments in India.

     In 1897, 130 kW capacity hydro power plant was setup in Darjeeling. In 1902, 4.5 MW capacity hydro power plant was  setup in Shivanasamudhram. This was setup to provide power to the Kolar Gold Mines in Karnataka. These power plants are designed with equipment which operates at 50 Hz. Thereafter India is using 50 Hz frequency power supply.

Bonus Takeaway:

     Aviation systems use 400 Hz frequency. Increase in frequency will reduce size, weight. This will increase the efficiency of fuel and engine. But this will cause high reactive power loss. 

     In Aviation systems we need to worry only about the efficiency. So higher frequency of 400 Hz is used.

     Thanks for reading. If you like this post share with your friends and Subscribe to the blog. Have a nice day.