Do I need a converter if the frequency (Hz) of a country is different?
In the US, electrical outlet frequency is listed at 60Hz and 120v. If I am traveling to a country with 50Hz, do I need a transformer? My appliances work with the voltage that is listed in the country I am going to, but I don't know how frequency plays a role.
Best Answer
Check the description on your device to see what it accepts--most things say (check the wall wart rather than the device if it uses one.) To date the only thing I have found that had trouble on 50hz power was a clock--it was running at 5/6 the speed it should have. Note that some motors will have the same issue.
Almost all travel electronics already support 110-240/50-60 power and aren't an issue anyway. The only item I carry that isn't universal is my toothbruth and it doesn't mind 50hz rather than the 60hz it was built for.
Pictures about "Do I need a converter if the frequency (Hz) of a country is different?"
Do I need frequency converter?
Frequency Converters are needed most often when the electronic device has a synchronous motor that turns or vibrates. Then, the device is dependent on the mains frequency to assure that the motor operating at the proper rotation or speed. This speed will depend directly on the mains frequency that it is connected to.Can I use a 60 Hz device in a 50 Hz power frequency?
For a generic answer: yes you can, IF: you reduce the voltage by 50/60, the equipment doesn't care, you don't care about potentially overheating the motor, the process/load can tolerate the lower speed/torque, etc.Do power converters change frequency?
Simply put, frequency converters are a power conversion device. The frequency converter converts a basic fixed-frequency, fixed voltage sine-wave power (line power) to a variable-frequency, variable-voltage output used to control speed of induction motors.Can I use 50Hz in USA?
If it says 220 V 50/60 Hz, then it's probably safe to use it in the US. If it says 220 V 50 Hz, it's more uncertain. Many components should work fine, but perhaps some may overheat, not work, or run at the wrong speed.The Ultimate 432Hz VS 440Hz | CONSPIRACY + Comparison
More answers regarding do I need a converter if the frequency (Hz) of a country is different?
Answer 2
Definitively no.
The simple reason is that a converter does not affect the frequency. You would need a rectifier-inverted-rectifier combination to transform 50Hz to 60Hz or vice versa.
While technically possible, I've never seen such a thing in my life.
Also, the frequency usually makes no difference either way (most devices run on DC internally anyway).
Answer 3
Most devices don't care about the difference between 50 and 60 hz. The main exceptions being some clocks which use the mains frequeny to track time and "white goods" appliances which use synchronous or induction motors whose speed is closely tied to frequency. Vintage audio equipment can also be a problem due to the use of motors whose speed is determined by line frequency.
It is usually cheaper to replace the device or at least the motor than to convert frequency. A transformer will not do it.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: ArtHouse Studio, Daniel Maforte, Karolina Grabowska, Karolina Grabowska