ECN Forum Forums Technical Discussion Electrical Theory and Applications 50hx v 60hz

Will 50hz domestic appliances run on 60hz or will it damage the appliance?

Hi Leonie,

Quite a surprise to see someone from Cornwall in here! I lived in Chacewater (between Truro & Redruth) for a few years.

Many appliances designed for 50Hz will run on 60Hz just fine (so long as you take care of any voltage differences with a transformer).

Radios, computers, chargers for cordless tools, and other similar electronic equipment should have no problems.

You need to be a little more cautious when it comes to mains-driven motors, of which there are several different types.

The types of motors used in the typical blender, food mixer, hair-dryer, power tools, etc. will generally run on the higher frequency without any trouble, although may be slightly less efficient.

However, some motors used in electric clocks, record players, tape recorders, and such like have their speed sychronized to the supply frequency and will run too fast. Modern cassette decks & CD players will be fine in this respect though, because the motors don't run directly from the mains.

Adding to Paul's reply, here's some more stuff:

• Resistance loads (99.99999999% True Power types, such as Incandescent Lamps and Resistance Heaters] will have an almost unreadable change between 50 Hz and 60 Hz (the only change would fall in where the RMS Current and Voltage levels meet between the two frequencies) - RMS power might fall a bit shy on 60 HZ, as 50 Hz is a little closer to DC. These readings would be within the milliwatt range as viewed from a 1 KW driven load (guesstamation),
• Induction Motors would run slightly faster at 60 HZ (Sync speed = 3600 RPMs at 60 HZ, whereas Sync speed = 3000 RPMs at 50 Hz],
• Ballasted loads (Like HID's and Fluorescents), along with Transformer driven loads will experience changes in Voltage / Currents, Etc.,
• Synchronous Motors - such as the ones that Paul mentioned, will be running at 3600 RPMs (or an equivalent fraction of 3600 RPMs), which will make clocks run fast and Record Players spin too fast - AKA "The Chipmunks Have Landed",
• Brush type Commutator motors (other than Induction or Repulsion types) will run at about the same speed, especially if they are Series Motors.

Scott S.E.T.