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Doctor Copper Is Sick
- aurizon 5y agoI recall, in 1952-3 Toronto changed their grid frequency from 25 Hz to 60 Hz. This was done to reduce the mass of the iron in the transformers, which was reduced greatly. That means main power, substations, pole pigs and all the small power transformers and motors would be smaller. Many small power transformers would carry on working at the new frequency OK, but most motors linked to frequency were changed. I recall watching unchanged electric clocks zip around - all changed for efficiency. Now in Europe they use 220V 50Hz and we use 120V 60 Hz. If we switched to 220 volts(a massive-massive task), this would liberate about 45% of the copper in all houses/factories etc. This might pay for it and mitigate the anticipated copper crunch. Transmission lines have already switched to Aluminum. Houses have not, because a badly planned switch to Aluminum house wiring in the late 70's caused many house fires because aluminum changes dimensions when under pressure under a screwed down bolt as the temperature changes daily - just a little, but the coefficient also differed from the brass hold down nuts. Over months/years = varies a lot, the connections and wire nuts etc would turn into resistors and = fires. The elevating temperature also hastened the process. Early thermal cameras could be used to find these hot spots. They did have proper aluminum-copper connectors by then, but the fires put people off and insurance companies would not give fire insurance on a house with ANY aluminum interior wiring. Modern aluminum wiring is OK with approved connectors. https://esasafe.com/home-renovation-buying-and-selling/aluminum-wiring/ https://esasafe.com/home-renovation-buying-and-selling/alumi...