OT: Don't mess with my AC

[Panomaniac]

I always new those folks out west lived in a looser time frame. Now we have proof.

[bfish]

Our current policy for grid frequency includes both manual and automated correction to keep (some) clocks ~accurate;

"Regulation of power system frequency for timekeeping accuracy was not commonplace until after 1926 and the invention of the electric clock driven by a synchronous motor (a Hammond invention). Network operators will regulate the daily average frequency so that clocks stay within a few seconds of correct time. In practice the nominal frequency is raised or lowered by a specific percentage to maintain synchronization. Over the course of a day, the average frequency is maintained at the nominal value within a few hundred parts per million. In North America, whenever the error exceeds 10 seconds for the east, 3 seconds for Texas, or 2 seconds for the west, a correction of ?0.02 Hz (0.033%) is applied. Time error corrections start and end either on the hour or on the half hour."

What isn't clear is the intent of the "experiment". If they merely discontinue the time correction efforts (which could be a sizable savings alone), the only noticeable effect will be to some of our clocks. If they loosen the overall tolerance standards, that could be a different story.

[mah]

Fish, As a public service your post should be on the Stereophile Analogue Forum.

[tomt]

What isn't clear is the intent of the "experiment".

can't think of anything good, about this.

have one of these, most accurate clock i've owned -

eBay - Telechron GE Clock book General Electric Art Deco Shelf, Similar items search

[voice of the theater]

I'm saving up for one of these

Photo Index - The St. Petersburg, FL Equatorial Sundial

[Steve Mac]

Interesting thread... I develop controls for commercial and residential products. I've incorporated a TI chip in the latest platform which reads voltage, current, power factor...and with an independent crystal oscillator am able to determine frequency too. I am in the southeast and its 60hz rock solid. Sometimes 59.9 and sometimes 60.1, but the average is always 60.0HZ. As these new products find themselves regionally it will be intersting to see during field trials whether there is any significant deviance.

[Panomaniac]

I've incorporated a TI chip in the latest platform which reads voltage, current, power factor...and with an independent crystal oscillator am able to determine frequency too.

That's cool! Years ago my dad gave me on of those Kill-a-Watt meters that does much the same thing. I finally killed it. Got to get another, it's super handy. Kill A Watt

[Altec Best]

That's cool! Years ago my dad gave me on of those Kill-a-Watt meters that does much the same thing. I finally killed it. Got to get another, it's super handy. Kill A Watt

Definately a handy tool !

[bowtie427ss]

Seems a private outfit called NERC has been handling our grid for a few years, and they proposed the "experiment". Assertions are that we may be wasting big bucks on precision we don't really need.

NERC's #2 man is a long time senior partner with Goldman Sachs, i kinda doubt he joined NERC to take a cut in pay. A brief resume for each of the board of trustees members is posted at NERC's website. Nothing good for consumers will come of this.

[bfish]

Interesting thread... I develop controls for commercial and residential products. I've incorporated a TI chip in the latest platform which reads voltage, current, power factor...and with an independent crystal oscillator am able to determine frequency too. I am in the southeast and its 60hz rock solid. Sometimes 59.9 and sometimes 60.1, but the average is always 60.0HZ. As these new products find themselves regionally it will be intersting to see during field trials whether there is any significant deviance.

Cool! Now you just need a web app to produce a realtime monitoring site like the UK;

National Grid: Real Time Frequency Data - Last 60 Minutes

Or better yet, one for each region. And what better way to hawk your wares than to offer a free taste targeted at those with an interest in such matters already...

NERC's #2 man is a long time senior partner with Goldman Sachs, i kinda doubt he joined NERC to take a cut in pay. A brief resume for each of the board of trustees members is posted at NERC's website. Nothing good for consumers will come of this.

Amen brother, Don't get me started...[insert sniper smiley].

NERC itself of course is "qualified" as a non-profit... what an oxymoron that is... The man with his hand on North America's main breaker is a powerful man indeed, and deserving of more than casual scrutiny.

Added
OOOh! OOOh! Idea for new movie! Submarine hackers hold the grid for ransom! Call it Brother, can you spare a KW? Or, Disconnect Notice.

Starring Austin Powers as himself, Lindsay Lohan as Rave'n Mad, and MiniMe as the POTUS...