Substations and Power Lines

[FISHMANPET]

Are you talking about this building at 32nd and Hiawatha Matt? https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9451713 ... 312!8i6656

[David Greene]

I've dreamed about doing something with that building.

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[seanrichardryan]

I'd never noticed this little building next to US Internet on 47th & Nicollet.

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.917616, ... a=!3m1!1e3


https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9177052 ... 328!8i1664

[Silophant]

That was far more interesting and insightful and curiosity-provoking than I expected when I started reading. Thanks!

One question, though: how do all those historical numbers compare to "modern, higher-capacity standards"?

So, Power = Volts * Amps. To increase the power transfer through a given line, you can either up the voltage (requiring larger insulators* and different transformers) or up the ampacity (requiring thicker conductors). The original buildout of the cities was mostly 4,160V feeders rated for 400A. The current standard for a new feeder is 13,800V and 800A, or about 6x the capacity of the original construction. Many of the newer suburban areas have feeders run at 34,500V, but it's not feasible to convert an existing line from 13,800V to 34,500V, since it requires taller poles and larger insulators, so a given area is either one or the other.

*The original 4kV buildout used insulators rated to 15kV, since manufacturing techniques didn't work very well on smaller insulators, so 4kV->13.8kV conversions only require a transformer changeout.)

[bapster2006]

I've dreamed about doing something with that building.

I have also thought for years about what I could do with the "Ghostbusters" building at 32nd and Hiawatha.