For as long as I have been alive, California's power system has used 60 hertz or cycles per second. However that may be in the process of changing. Over the last 30 days I have noticed 40 watt bulbs have seen a little less bright. Then after a few days the brightness returned to normal. I don't know if other states are experiencing the same anomalies because each state uses it's own power grid laws. For anyone else who calls California their temporary home, have you noticed the same anomalies when using 40 watt bulbs? I suspect that the reason for the sudden change is compliance to the new world order where all power grids will run on 50 hertz. It may also have some small part to play in the 10 days of darkness. Remember, we are children of the light and we are not given a spirit of fear. The Holy Spirit dwells in our heart. Hold on to that message of Faith Hi, Rick. The power line frequency and voltage standards are depicted here from Wikipedia. Note the color codes representing the frequency that you mention in Hz (Hertz) and the domestic appliance outlet voltages worldwide. Most were established, I believe, relatively early in the 20th century by country. Your light bulb might be brighter or dimmer because of voltage amplitude, often sagging below nominal / normal / regulated due to overload on various distribution cables. Dimming can even be transient and quite local because of, say, starting a motor on a table saw in your garage until it comes up to speed. Anyway, I'd not concern myself. Are you on PG&E there where you live? Just curious... Thank you MyWhiteStone for your information. As I mentioned this only just started and the behavior has not been noticed before. I do have a multi-meter and the voltage was measured at 120 VAC. If I'm the only one that has noticed the change, then I'm the only one with the problem.
