[Lowfer] [Other] History AC

[W5JGV]

> I seem to remember hearing back in the '80s there were still
> some places on the old Niagara 25 Hz power grid. Anyone know
> if that is still the case?

I don't know about that area, but here in New Orleans, we still have big
rotary converters to make 25 cycles from 60 cycles.  They are still used
to run the 90+ year-old motors that drive the Wood screw pumps that keep
the city dry.  Construction on the drainage system began in 1897, and
the first high-volume Wood pumps were added about 1910. A picture of one
of the pumps under construction is at
http://www.asme.org/history/images/IH003.html  That largest pumps have a
14 foot inlet.  A more comprehensive summary may be found at
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pao/history/NO_Drainage/NO_Drain_chap4a.pd
f

73,

Ralph   W5JGV - WC2XSR/13

http://www.emachine.com