The Guyana Power and Light Inc will be switching its power supply from 50Hz to 60Hz to customers in Werk-en-Rust, Queenstown, Alberttown and Bourda and this upgrade and frequency conversion, the company said in a news release, will significantly improve the quality of supply.
The upgrade is ongoing in Werk-en-Rust on D’urban Street between Camp and High streets and the frequency for customers along George Street, Henry Street, Smyth Street, Cross Street and Leopold Street will be converted.
The frequency for customers in Queenstown, Alberttown and Bourda bordered by Light Street, Lamaha Street, Oronoque Street and North Road will be converted also from 50Hz to 60Hz.
GPL said that the power supply to customers in Werk-en-Rust will be switched from 50Hz to 60Hz tomorrow.
Meanwhile, in Queenstown and Alberttown the switch from 50Hz to 60Hz will occur on September 6 and in Bourda on September 20.
According to GPL, the distribution networks in those areas were constructed over 40 years ago and operate at 4,160V, 50Hz with limited capacity. The upgrade and frequency conversion will significantly increase the network capacity, thereby improving the quality of supply, the release added.
The 60Hz supply will affect the operation of any appliance with a 50Hz motor or transformer to the extent that failure can occur.
Therefore, all 50Hz refrigerators, freezers, air conditioned units, fans, water pumps, music systems, except those with DC drives, fluorescent lamps, mercury vapour lamps and the like will have to be converted.
However, appliances with dual frequency, that is with 50/60Hz, will not be affected.
The new network will operate at 13,800V and will result in an improved quality of supply, but during this transition period power will be supplied from Sophia and ultimately the new power plant at Kingston will be the source.
GPL said it is excited about this new development which is aimed at improving its quality of service and solicits the cooperation of all customers in making the transition a success. Conversion from 50Hz to 60Hz has been ongoing for a number of years.