An Electricity Question

[JB BooksParticipant 3182]

Maybe I should have asked this one yesterday on Tesla’s birthday, but here goes… My condo building recently had a power failure and is temporarily running on a diesel generator. It’s not really a problem for me, but I’ve noticed that my stovetop and microwave clocks, while both in sync with each other, seem to be running an extra 1 to 2 minutes fast per day. Is it just me, or is there some explanation for how a possibly variable amount of electrical power could cause this phenomenon? I can live with the answer that it’s all in my head, but maybe there’s some kind of cool explanation. Thanks!

We just don't realize life's most significant events while they're happening. Back then, I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day. - "Moonlight" Graham

[Knarley BobParticipant 2219]

I would venture to say that the electricity from the generator is D.C. Direct current.
The electricity from the outside world, is A.C. alternating current. Perhaps that is the reason. By the way, Tesla invented A.C. Which is in use most places today….

OATHKEEPERS, not on our watch. MOLON LABE

[JB BooksParticipant 3182]

‘preciate your thoughts, Knarley Bob. They mentioned that the outage cause is the transformer, which is going to be a pain in the butt, but at least I don’t have to deal with it as long as I got juice until it’s repaired.

We just don't realize life's most significant events while they're happening. Back then, I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day. - "Moonlight" Graham

[Anonymous 42]

Transformers run off high voltage so spikes are uncommon unless a line shorts out but that should trip a breaker.

Generators have rectifiers that try to smooth out the lower voltage being directly created by the armature and stator, engine load always changing with electrical demands causes rpm changes with voltage fluctuation and surges.

I hope you have surge protectors on all your chipped alliances and computers.

My guess is the voltage is set slightly higher to compensate the drops in voltage that otherwise could damage things from low voltage. My guess is that it’s overclocking your processors with the higher voltage.

More is safer than less when it comes to overall maintained voltage…

[WPLParticipant 2390]

The timebase for almost all AC-powered clocks (whether digital, or analog with a synchronous motor) is derived from the AC line frequency (60 Hz in the US, 50 Hz in many other parts of the world). Portable and standby generators do not output DC — they produce AC, but it tends to be a bit “noisy” and more relevant to your observation, it’s not of a terribly exact frequency. The frequency inaccuracy won’t hurt anything whatsoever, but it will make clocks slightly inaccurate. The national power grids are very stable and accurate in frequency, largely because they HAVE to be in order to link up generating stations.

[AutoliteParticipant]

What WPL said. Likely a slight difference in the output frequency…

[Secret Agent MGTOWParticipant 22506]

JB Books wrote:

Maybe I should have asked this one yesterday on Tesla’s birthday, but here goes… My condo building recently had a power failure and is temporarily running on a diesel generator. It’s not really a problem for me, but I’ve noticed that my stovetop and microwave clocks, while both in sync with each other, seem to be running an extra 1 to 2 minutes fast per day. Is it just me, or is there some explanation for how a possibly variable amount of electrical power could cause this phenomenon? I can live with the answer that it’s all in my head, but maybe there’s some kind of cool explanation. Thanks!

the diesel generator is probably putting out a modified sine wave voltage and this can mess up electronics with clocks that need a more pure sine wave voltage the power company generates, running fast is a symptom of this.

Women want everything, but want responsibility and accountability for nothing.

[JB BooksParticipant 3182]

Wow – Thanks for the education guys!

We just don't realize life's most significant events while they're happening. Back then, I thought, "Well, there'll be other days". I didn't realize that that was the only day. - "Moonlight" Graham

[Anonymous 3]

JB Books wrote:

while both in sync with each other, seem to be running an extra 1 to 2 minutes fast per day.

that’s too much…

WPL wrote:

The timebase for almost all AC-powered clocks (whether digital, or analog with a synchronous motor) is derived from the AC line frequency

That is not true in general, but some clocks use AC frequency. Most of clocks use 32768 Hz Quartz crystal. That oscillator depends a little on voltage, temperatue, and who knows what….

from the 1-2 minutes per day, your clocks use AC voltage as signal input, and your generator is not giving exactly the correct frequency. You have s~~~ty clocks.

My quartz clocks are “just” off by <5 minutes a month, and that is too much if one is in a hurry to a meeting. At least the phone and computer auto synchronizes to network time.

[WPLParticipant 2390]

Although battery-operated clocks do almost always use a 32.786kHz crystal oscillator, most any clock that plugs into the wall does use the AC line frequency as its timebase, by counting the zero-crossings and dividing. This is more stable and accurate long-term than a crystal timebase, and is unaffected by temperature. It’s also cheaper.

Anonymous wrote:

JB Books wrote:

while both in sync with each other, seem to be running an extra 1 to 2 minutes fast per day.

that’s too much…

WPL wrote:

The timebase for almost all AC-powered clocks (whether digital, or analog with a synchronous motor) is derived from the AC line frequency

That is not true in general, but some clocks use AC frequency. Most of clocks use 32768 Hz Quartz crystal. That oscillator depends a little on voltage, temperatue, and who knows what….

from the 1-2 minutes per day, your clocks use AC voltage as signal input, and your generator is not giving exactly the correct frequency. You have s~~~ty clocks.

My quartz clocks are “just” off by <5 minutes a month, and that is too much if one is in a hurry to a meeting. At least the phone and computer auto synchronizes to network time.

Anonymous wrote:

JB Books wrote:

while both in sync with each other, seem to be running an extra 1 to 2 minutes fast per day.

that’s too much…

WPL wrote:

The timebase for almost all AC-powered clocks (whether digital, or analog with a synchronous motor) is derived from the AC line frequency

That is not true in general, but some clocks use AC frequency. Most of clocks use 32768 Hz Quartz crystal. That oscillator depends a little on voltage, temperatue, and who knows what….

from the 1-2 minutes per day, your clocks use AC voltage as signal input, and your generator is not giving exactly the correct frequency. You have s~~~ty clocks.

My quartz clocks are “just” off by <5 minutes a month, and that is too much if one is in a hurry to a meeting. At least the phone and computer auto synchronizes to network time.

[Anonymous 1]

Yes, WPL is correct. The time difference is due to the output frequency not being exactly 60 Hz.

[AttonParticipant]

That is likely down the fluctuations in frequency an oscilloscope is useful for finding this kind of stuff out.

A MGTOW is a man who is not a woman's bitch!

[Anonymous 3]

Atton wrote:

That is likely down the fluctuations in frequency an oscilloscope is useful for finding this kind of stuff out.

An oscilloscope is great for learning electricity in practice. I bought one 13 years ago. (price tag from 100$ for analog cathode ray one, but digital ones are getting cheaper (<500$) all the time…) Learnt a lot. Some components for fun are easily available from thrown away electric gadgets. Tv sets, dead computer PSU, whatever. (go for power transistors and mosfets, those are likely hard to damage while playing) Buy some parts if needed, that’s also not big money. Get a multimeter too, and some power supply. In 2 years you will understand a lot.

[Author]

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