The Power Line Hum In Your Ears

Like any other power consuming American citizen, I really had never thought about what frequency the power lines were humming on. Just plug it in, plug it in baby.

In the United States, the power frequency is 60 Hz (120 Volts). In the United Kingdom, the power frequency is 50 Hz (230 Volts). In Japan, both types are used; (Kyoto and west) uses 60 Hz and the eastern part (Tokyo and east) uses 50 Hz. The majority of the world uses 50 Hz at varying amounts of voltage.

Therefore, this is the main reason that the electronic devices we use would not work if we tried to use them on a foreign outlet. Not to mention the different types of plug connectors. If you’re a geek like me, you’ll want to see the different types of frequencies used around the world. One would tend to think that this kind of thing would be universal, but this just isn’t the case. There is no standard around the world.

It’s hard to imagine that in 1918, London was using 10 different frequencies. The 50 Mz standard was not completely established until after World War II.

It’s also interesting to note that 25 Hz motors are still being used at places like Niagra Falls and New Orleans. Much of southern California used the 50 Hz standard until 1948.

While we often take electricity for granted, some countries do not have a standard supply of electricity. We should take this into consideration. We should also be thoughtful of the linemen that risk their lives daily, maintaining the electric grid throughout the nation.

No matter the frequency, the hum pulsating in the electric lines sounds like a symphony to me. Maintaining that frequency of tomorrow is the discussion at hand.