photo caption: Wall mural, Canovanas, PR
WASHINGTON Our power supply has been so precise that we set our clocks by it. But time may be running out on that idea. An upcoming yearlong experiment with the electric grid may make plug-in clocks and devices like coffeemakers with programmable timers run up to 20 minutes fast. The group that oversees the U.S. power grid is proposing a change that has the potential to disrupt electric clocks in schools, hospitals and other institutions. It may also mess with the timing of traffic lights, security systems, sprinklers and some personal computer software and hardware. Since 1930, electric clocks have kept time based on the rate of the electrical current that powers them. If the current slips off its usual rate, clocks run a little fast or slow. Power companies now take steps to correct it and keep the frequency of the current - and the time - as precise as possible. The experiment will allow more frequency variation than it does now without corrections. Officials say they want to try this to make the power supply more reliable, save money and reduce what may be needless efforts. The test is tentatively set to start in mid-July, but that could change. Tweaking the power grid's frequency is expensive and takes a lot of effort, said Joe McClelland, head of electric reliability for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. "Is anyone using the grid to keep track of time?" McClelland said. "Let's see if anyone complains if we eliminate it." SANTA OLAYA, PR 10:25AM -- DID YOU MAKE THE COFFEE YET? ASKS LILLIAN
-- UH, I SET THE TIMER ON THE COFFEEPOT FOR 9:10AM
-- IS THE COFFEE READY?
-- I DON'T KNOW, I'LL TAKE A LOOK...
J.Galligan
75GRAND/SUR
Santa Olaya, PR
perdido en paraiso http://JANGuarte.posterous.com [art blog]