Why do aircraft use 400 Hertz?
Aerospace manufacturing companies can achieve a lower weight by using 400 Hz power. With 400 Hz, airplanes require fewer generators or alternators to produce a sufficient amount of power. This reduces their total weight, thereby making it easier for airplanes to take off.
Would you expect a 400 Hz generator to be larger or smaller than a 60 Hz generator of the same power and voltage rating?
Yes, the generator is a lot smaller, but overall size is effectively limited by the total power generated/transmitted.
Why do aircraft use 115v 400Hz?
Running at 115v 400Hz allows the use of smaller transformers. Less energy has to be stored in the transformer core per cycle, so the core can be smaller. A smaller core means a lighter transformer, and reducing weight is a good thing in an aircraft.
Why is 60Hz frequency used in America instead of the 50Hz used in most of the world?
Why is 60Hz frequency used in America instead of the 50Hz used in most of the world? The use of 50 versus 60 Hz is purely due to historical reasons, with companies in the US making 60 Hz equipment and those in Europe making 50Hz equipment so that they have a monopoly. This rivalry led to the split you see today.
Why do countries use 110 volts?
110 volts was much more economic when electricity became widely available, and the voltage kind of stuck. As this became the standard for American power, European power companies arbitrarily decided to operate at 50 Hz and push the voltage up to 240 in order to improve distribution efficiency.
Why do most aircraft use 400 Hz AC instead of 60Hz AC?
Induction motors turn at a speed proportional to frequency, so a high frequency power supply allows more power to be obtained for the same motor volume and mass. Transformers and motors for 400 Hz are much smaller and lighter than at 50 or 60 Hz, which is an advantage in aircraft (and ships).