A Chronology of Rural Electrification in Western New York State Primarily in Erie County

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Buffalo Section Presentation Joint with the Power Energy, Industrial Applications, Computer, Microwave Theory & Techniques, Antennas & Propagation, Communications, Control Systems, Engineering Management, and Young Professionals Societies.

Join us at the University at Buffalo – Amherst Campus for Dr. Marlin Gillette's historical account of rural electrification primarily Erie County with searches of public records in libraries, historical societies, and from NYSEG archives.

There are many accounts of the electrification of Buffalo with 25 Hz AC from Niagara Falls hydro power plants starting 1895. The war of the currents had been won by proponents of AC now allowing long distance transmission of electrical power. DC power systems 1890 era technology operating at low voltage and high current had no way of overcoming IR voltage drop along transmission lines limiting power line distances to about 1 or 2 miles. The invention of the AC transformer was the key technology allowing adjusting customer location voltage. However, rural farming areas and small villages and towns lagged far behind in electrification for decades. Only 45% of farms in New York State were electrified by 1940.

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Buffet dinner will be served on site: Chicken Francaise, Pasta Primavera, Chef salad, dessert and cold drinks IEEE Members and guests $15, Life & Student Members $10

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