Frequency Changer Building
Constructed in mid-1949 prior to the completion of the first stage of South Fremantle Power Station, the Frequency Changer Building houses the frequency changer unit, which consists of two massive motors directly coupled to each other, its associated switchgear and cooling system.Manufactured by Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Co sometime around 1950, it enabled the conversion of 40 cycle to 50 cycle power and vice versa.
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By the 1960s, most of Perth had upgraded their electrical items to allow for 50kW power, decreasing the need for the frequency changer unit, which was kept on standby and for system voltage control.
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The frequency changer unit was installed on a concrete block, which not only supported it but also had a series of cooling chambers built into it from underneath on the basement level.
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A 70t travelling crane with a single winch that remains today, was made locally by Hoskins Engineering and Foundry. It was used for the initial installation of the frequency changer unit, with rails supporting it to the north and south sides of the building.
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The switch gear sat on tracks built into the floor, to allow the unit to be move for maintenance and cleaning.
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The building measured 27m x 11m. It connected to "A" station with an internal walkway and the System Control Centre on the Summers Street side with a lightweight bridge, the latter building since being demolished.
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It's believed that this frequency changer unit could be the only one of its kind in Australia.
Frequency Changer Set, Generator & Auxiliaries
40 Hz Generator & Auxiliaries:
- 40 Hz Main Machine (motor/generator,
40 Hz Starting "Pony" Motor,
- Main Exciter
- Pilot Exciter
Manufactured by Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co Ltd, UK
c1950
40 Hz Generator, Auxiliaries & Frequency Changer Set
40 Hz Frequency Changer Set & 50 Hz Frequency Changer Set
50 Hz Starting "Pony" Motor, Main Exciter & Pilot Exciter
6 kV Switchgear
50 Period Motor
Four high volume oil circuit breakers connected to the starting motors
and generators and their own 6 kV main busbars.
Manufactured by Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co Ltd, UK
c1950
50 Period Generator
40 Period Generator
40 Period Motor
VOLTS: 6300 AMPS: 80.8 ~: 50
O.C.REL.: S.T.REL.: 180V
U.V.REL.: E.REL.
SERIAL No.: DB41387
(~ Alternating Current (AC), O.C.REL - Overcurrent Relay
S.T.REL - Starting Relay, U.V.REL - Undervoltage Relay
E.REL - Earth Fault Relay)
Frequency Changer Gauge Board
Enabled workers to monitor and log the status of main support,cooling air
and winding temperatures (etc) in the main machines.
Alarm facilities were incorporated on all critical variables.
Manufactured by Metropolitan-Vickers Electrical Co Ltd, UK
c1950
Electrical Fuse Box
