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Does the 50Hz & 60Hz difference matter at all or not? (feddit.online)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by animemann80@feddit.online to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de

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The 240-120 voltage problem can be remedied by using transformers but that doesn't negate the frequency difference between grids. Australia operates on 230v @ 50Hz while the US works with 120V @ 60Hz for instance, as certain electronics that are singular voltage (Hair Dryers, Desk Fans or Electric Blankets) have their frequencies disclosed even if the voltage on those are different than the one that country uses.

Does plugging in a device that has 120v-60Hz via a transformer on a grid that operates on 230v-50Hz ruin the device due to either heating elements or motors inside? Even between countries that work with 220-40v but one uses 50Hz while the other uses 60Hz, does that render those electronics (like dehumidifiers, power drills, curling irons) incompatible despite them using similar voltage (like 220v vs 230v)?

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[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Transformers are a fixed ratio, they will convert 110->12v, or 240 to 25ish volts. So a 110v transformer on 240v will most likely fry its device.

The frequency mostly doesn't matter, but some old oven clocks used grid frequency to keep track of time, which was an issue recently: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/08/european-clocks-lose-six-minutes-dispute-power-electricity-grid

[–] animemann80@feddit.online 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

I know that 60Hz is faster than 50Hz, since I've shipped an air fryer from a country with 50Hz (type I plug) to a family friend who lives in one where 60Hz is used (has a type B outlet) but they used an adapter. There were issues with the heat element, as it turns out their food is overcooked despite us having miminal differences with voltage (230 vs 220).

[–] CameronDev@programming.dev 4 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

At most, i would expect the fan in the airfryer to spin faster, but i don't believe there is a relationship between frequency and power.

Resistive heating elements in airfryers should also be unaffected by frequency.

~~My guess is that heating element is tuned for 220v, but at 230v it goes to a much higher temperature?~~ Or they suck at cooking :)

Edit: thinking more, a 20% faster fan could definitely be the issue.