> -----Original Message----- > From: Ben Jones
> > What Redmond said is true, Well, no. But what Ben goes on to say is mostly right. Both motors and normal fluoros are inductive (due to the current limiting choke in fluoros). IE fluoros cant be used to correct motor power factor (they only make it worse). The capacitor which you will find inside fluoros is purely for power factor correction and the fluoro will run quite happily without it (but you shouldn't do it). :-) > In practice most circuits are inductive and as a result > causes currents to lag. > A circuit with a leading current (ie, a capacitive circuit) > is seldom found, although the effects tend to occurr in long > distance transmission lines. > In reality and speaking from experience running a power > station the best load to have is a resistive load Unless system stability is an issue (which it probably isn't with a generator that can glaze pistons). If system stability is an issue then running alternators with slightly lagging power factor is preferred (about 0.9 is what they are usually designed for). http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/jan2001/ind-j09.shtml In 2001 there was a massive blackout in India (some 10's of Gigawatts from memory, ie Australian national grid size) because a too many generators were running at unity power factor. After the first one tripped, the others followed in a chain reaction, not because the load (in MW) was too great (at least initially) but because the system couldn't support the reactive power (ie PF) requirements quickly enough. ( ie light > bulb or elements ), this does 2 things it makes it easier for > the simation software and computers running the generators > and alternators to move the fields around leading or lagging > to bring up the powerfactor back to the desired point , and > it also actually runs the generators in a more efficent way > getting the most spark for your liter burnt in fuel, avoiding > hot spots and glasing the piston sleeves. >... > And soon (ill bet my right nut on it ) power providers will > force a move to digital power meters on you house, Don't know where you've been the last few years Ben, but that's not news. In South Australia (and similar for the other states, I guess) the move to digital meters for _many_ reasons (both technical and idealogical) has been in place since the mid/late 90's at least. Also I don't think there have been any meter manufacturers making mechanical meters for the last few years. > to finally > charge for all the free power people will be leeching using > fluro's to light there home, You aren't getting it free now. The old mechanical meters were in fact pretty good. It takes about 20-30VA to get them spinning but they can quite happily read increments much smaller than that once they are going (they are analog after all). There's always a few little things on in the house so the starting effort is never a problem in practice. So, what if you went away for the weekend and only had the electric clocks going? Well, there will be some "supply charge" or similar fixed fee on your bill which will cover that handily. :-) as most fluro's dont have enough > draw to spin a conventional power meter, compare to the > humble and now marked bulb. Regards SWK ********************************************************************** This email and any file attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please tell us immediately by return email and delete the document. The information in this email expresses the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of ETSA Utilities. ********************************************************************** _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
