[Milsurplus] 400 Hz power

[Richard C. Grosser]

The reason for the use of 400hz power in aircraft is weight. A 400hz
transformer weighs a fraction of a 60hz transformer. 110 volts was used for
weight reasons as well - the cables were much smaller and as a result much
lighter. The Navy's use of 800hz was a disaster due to the unforseen power
factor problems. A 60 hz selsyn is enormous compared to a 400hz one.
 

Richard C. Grosser
Palm Springs Air Museum
745 N. Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 778-6262 X233
Cell: (760) 898-6888
www.PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org <http://www.palmspringsairmuseum.org/>