REA voltage from the 1930s 2

[PowerDawg]

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.

 

[DTR2011]

I think that varies wildly based on location. There are still areas that have 5kV in service.

 

[cranky108]

2400 sounds like something I see once in a while. I also see 6.9 Kv delta at times (We converted most of ours to 7.2 kV then to 12.47 kV).

The old generators still operate at 6.9 kV.

 

[PowerDawg]

I know some of the old city systems were 2.4kv and the like, but what about true rural distribution to farms and such. Traveling such distances, I would not think 2.4kV would travel very far. Any more thoughts on the subject? I am more interested in voltages used to supply spread out farms as opposed to voltages in towns.

 

[magoo2]

I've read some stuff in the past on this. I would check with the RUS since they probably have documents at their website. REA is now RUS.

 

[prc]

What is REA and RUS? In case you are referring to US area, probably I can help as IEEE has many historical papers on the subject. Say clearly which area of US you are researching in to.

 

[waross]

In our area (The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada) the system was 2400 Volts, delta. In the 50's the local utility converted to 4160 Volts wye, to increase capacity. I understand that that was a common conversion with many systems in those years.
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

 

[magoo2]

REA was the Rural Electricrification Administration, part of the US Dept of Agriculture. It is now called the Rural Utilities Service.

 

[oldfieldguy]

PowerDawg-

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

 

[cranky108]

A company I worked for had some left over 25 kV system. But from a map in my office that shows several transmission lines, and operating voltages from the 30's, I think 25 kV was a transmission voltage.

I believe the 2.5 kV was the operating voltage in many rural areas.

 

[davidbeach]

The original "long distance" "high voltage" transmission system ran at 12kV for 12 miles (+/-). We have long since moved to much higher transmission voltages and don't generally run 12kV (actually now 13.2kV) for anywhere that distance.