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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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[–] elmicha@feddit.org 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

For resistive loads like a light or heating element then it'll pull more or less current than it's used to,

Umm, are you sure about that? If it's purely resistive, I would have thought that the frequency does not matter at all. It could even be DC. Or did someone revoke Ohm's law, or smuggle a frequency into it?

[–] pishadoot@sh.itjust.works 1 points 23 hours ago

You're not wrong and my statement wasn't truly accurate, I was simplifying a bit because OP probably isn't well read on frequency dependent reactance, ballasts, LED drivers, etc. It's pretty rare to have purely resistive devices these days.

Most modern "resistive" devices actually have more complicated circuitry or mechanisms that makes frequency relevant. I guess saying current changes was probably a bridge too far, but I was trying to translate into layman.

For example, a PURELY resistive space heater that just cycles on/off until a temp limit is hit will not be affected, but most have fans and are designed to transfer heat under specific conditions. Depending on how they measure heat the coils can overheat or pieces can melt.

A simple incandescent light will act the same regardless of freq, but anything with a ballast or driver likely wouldn't, if it wasn't dual rated. Most are, but really cheap/old ones often aren't. They might flicker or burn out, burn brighter, etc.

Either way, stuff will likely act weird. Might be minimal effect or none for certain simple things but it's not recommended.