What is the difference between RPM and HERTZ?

Answer 1

The difference between 50 and 60Hz is, well, 60Hz is 20% higher in frequency. For a generator or motor (in simple terms) it means 1500/3000 RPM or 1800/3600 RPM (for 60Hz). The design of such magnetic machines is such that they are really one or the other. It may work in some cases, but not always, and to change between supply frequencies will certainly have an effect on efficiency, and may mean de-rating is necessary.

Transmission loss in distribution..

The Steinmetz equation is about magnetic losses in power transformer cores. As large power Transformers are of the order 98% efficient, whatever these losses are they are small. Most of the fully loaded power transformer losses are from wire resistance, as even better transformers have been made with superconductors. Magnetic losses may represent 98% of losses at very low load (not a normal situation in a grid). Maybe that is where that answer (taken from Google Answers) comes from. So cross off that equation and transformers as major issues.

In a distribution system it is the power lines that represent the losses. It seems intuitively that 20% higher in frequency leads to more series inductive and shunt capacitive losses. However it seems to be resistive loss at high voltage and corona loss at extreme voltage that dominate. Probably both 50 and 60Hz are below the frequency where the inductive and capacitive reactance dominate. The second link has "Transmission and distribution losses in the USA were estimated at 7.2% in 1995, and in the UK at 7.4% in 1998". These are small differences, despite the different conditions and frequencies. To me, this shows that proper design leads to a suitable efficiency for either frequency.

When it comes to the consumption of electricity, there are industrial and domestic and urban needs. Variations in lamps (flicker) are not all that real above about 40Hz, so this is not big at 50Hz or 60Hz. Other issues like tape recorder motors (almost a thing of the past now) that depend on frequency have moved to being independent using electronic controls. Frankly it is hard to see any real world difference, and it would be nit picking to find one.

The more significant difference is that 60Hz systems usually use 120V or thereabouts for the domestic supply, while 50Hz systems tend to use 230V etc. This has the impact that house wiring needs to be twice the cross section for the 120V system for the same power. However the optimum system is accepted as around 230V (wire size and power required versus safety). In most of the US the 120V system is in tandem with the 240V US system that provides for the higher powered appliances like stoves and clothes dryers, while 120V does wall outlets and lights. Hardly an issue nowadays.

Early history, I disbelieve the story about rotational speeds. The early generators ran at higher and lower RPM for various reasons, and the frequency was also higher and lower. Europe and the US had a wide range. Generally things started to settle on either 50 or 60 Hz by the end of WW2 because of international trade, and the increasing use of motors etc. in domestic appliances, so requiring greater standardization. There are a plethora of cute stories/myths, but for 50 or more years there were many frequencies, with none gaining ascendancy for any good technical reasons.

Overall conclusion..

There is little real difference between 50 and 60 Hz systems, as long as the equipment is designed appropriately for the frequency. It is more important to have a standard and stick with it. See the last link for lots of history.