REA voltage from the 1930s
REA voltage from the 1930s
(OP)
I am writing an article about some of the history of the electric coops' beginnings in the 1930s. Does anyone know for sure what primary voltage was used on the old REA distribution systems in the 1930s? I am guessing 7.2/12.47kV but I cannot verify that.






RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
The old generators still operate at 6.9 kV.
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
A long time ago, when I was young I was working with a lineman who was close to retirement. One day we chanced to meet an old friend of his and we went for a long coffee break together. It was a real treat to listen as the two old-timers reminisced about stringing the first distribution lines across the Canadian prairies. They talked about working 2400 Volts bare handed in the hot summer on dry cedar poles.
"No problem working 2400 bare handed as long as you didn't get in series."
"Whatever happened to Charlie?"
"Oh, he got in series down by Moose Jaw."
"Ya, you didn't want to get in series. What happened to John?"
"Oh he got in series over by Lethbridge."
"Ya, don't get in series. What about Harold?"
"Didn't you hear? He got in series up by Saskatoon."
I think that these were the only two left. Everyone that they remembered had got in series somewhere.
Hope this helps.
Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
2400 was plenty, in light of the idea that when my great-grandmother's house was 'electrified' it had TWO thirty-amp circuits for the whole house. Wiring was 'knob and tube' and there might've been four receptacles and a dozen lights in the whole place.
old field guy
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s
I believe the 2.5 kV was the operating voltage in many rural areas.
RE: REA voltage from the 1930s