ANDRE BLONDEL – ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING HERO


As an Electrical Engineer, especially dwelling in metering theory and practice, everybody must have heard Blondel's Theorem. For starters, it says that, In a system of N conductors, N-l meter elements, properly connected, will measure the power or energy taken. The connection must be such that all voltage coils have a common tie to the conductor in which there is no current coil.

But who is the man behind the statement? He is no other than Andre Blondel, today's featured Electrical Engineering Hero.

The theory of polyphase watthour metering was first set forth on a scientific basis in 1893 by Andre E. Blondel, engineer and mathematician. His theorem applies to the measurement of real power in a polyphase system of any number of wires.

He was born on August 28, 1863 in Chaumont, Haute Marne, in France. He is a physicist, professor, and of course an engineer, a testament to his multi faceted  and talented life.

He was employed as an engineer by the Lighthouses and Beacons service after graduating first in his class at the E´cole des Ponts et Chausse´es (School of Bridges and Roadways).

Among his notable achievements and discoveries aside from the theorem named after him are as follows:

Invented the electromagnetic oscillograph, which won the grand prize at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904.

He demonstrated that there were three kinds of electric arc: the primitive, secondary arc, and a succession of oscillatory discharges.

Published a study on the coupling of synchronous generators on a large AC electric grid.

The next time you'll see an energy meter, think of the man who've contributed to what is is now today. Our Electrical Engineering Hero: Andre Blondel.

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