Edited by author 02-28-2003 09:14 PM
The reason for the clocks going slow in Venezuela is the following:
1- Most of the electricity generation in Venezuela (around 70%) is from the Raul Leoni Hidroelectric Complex (Complejo Hidroelectrico Raul Leoni), around 10,000,000 Kw (10,000 Megawatts).
For details of the dam see:
http://www.venezuelatuya.com/guayana/gurieng.htm2 - Since there has been a severe drought in this region, in order to slow the drop of the water level, the frequency of the generated AC electricity has been dropped from 60 HZ to 59.9 HZ. This is supposed to lower the electricity consumption. This was done aprox. from April 2002 to September 2002, and since the first week of February 2003.
3 - While it is true that battery operated wall clocks which rely on quartz oscillators will not be affected, clocks which depend on the AC frequency to keep time will be affected. This includes the digital displays of microwave ovens. I have been told that the TV pictures and computer monitors will shrink a little due to the 59.9 HZ AC frequency. Electronic experts can confirm this.
