Actually, 49.7Hz is not near the lower statutory limit, which is 49.5Hz, it is just under half way towards it. There are many reasons for a rise or drop in frequency. There is a requirement to keep clocks that derive their time from the mains within a certain tolerance of actual time over a 24 hour period. This means that the system frequency must average close to 50Hz over a 24 hour period. If the average is a bit high, then the system frequency will be deliberately held below 50Hz to allow the average to drop, and therefore the nation’s clocks to slow down to reach the correct time. The lowest frequency we recorded yesterday was 49.7993Hz, which is near enough 49.8Hz for most. 


Stories about the UK grid falling apart are simply that - stories, often to be found in certain tabloid newspapers, without much evidence of reality. 


Regards,


Alan. 

Actually, 49.7Hz is not near the lower statutory limit, which is 49.5Hz, it is just under half way towards it. There are many reasons for a rise or drop in frequency. There is a requirement to keep clocks that derive their time from the mains within a certain tolerance of actual time over a 24 hour period. This means that the system frequency must average close to 50Hz over a 24 hour period. If the average is a bit high, then the system frequency will be deliberately held below 50Hz to allow the average to drop, and therefore the nation’s clocks to slow down to reach the correct time. The lowest frequency we recorded yesterday was 49.7993Hz, which is near enough 49.8Hz for most. 


Stories about the UK grid falling apart are simply that - stories, often to be found in certain tabloid newspapers, without much evidence of reality. 


Regards,


Alan.