50hz to 60hz Current difference

[chris615]

I bought some electronic product from china and I didn't notice the frequency,I don't know that the frequency in china is 50hz and in my country is 60hz,how big is the difference of the two in terms of amperes or ther current flow.thanks

 

[jagec]

um, that's a frequency not a current...I'm guessing the product requires 220V, 50Hz? It's not going to be compatible with 110V, 60Hz current which is what you probably have.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I asked a similar question to SVS about one of their subs and a receiver, but the other way around (US products going to China). They said that your best bet for an adapter is going to a Military Supply store and getting a unit for adapting power worldwide that military personal get when they will be traveling.

Welcome to AT too

 

[Yellow Dog]

A lot of devices don't care, will work with either. If the device has a motor it will run slower on 50Hz than on 60Hx, by a factor of 5:6

 

[shortylickens]

There is this thing called inductive reactance. Also capacitative reactance.

But it doesnt matter much with household appliances.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Oh, I thought we were talking different voltage too. I think for audio equipment the hz might still matter though.

 

[Harvey]

Assuming the voltage rating is the same, gear designed to work at 50 Hz will probably work even better at 60 Hz. At 50Hz, the transformer not handle as much power as it will at 60 Hz because the core runs into saturation (max current handling ability due to the mass of the core) earlier at lower frequencies.

Other than that, the only products that won't work properly at different frequencies are those that use the line frequency for timing. For example, older electric clocks and some electric motors are frequency dependent.

The other thing you should note is whether the product is specified to run at 117 volts (U.S. standard). Japan's AC power is typically 100 volts. I don't know what voltage is standard in China. Running 100 volt gear at 117 will cause the voltage regulators to dissipate more heat. That's fine for gear designed to work over the entire range, but check the specs.

 

[Yellow Dog]

More and more equipment has auto sensing power supplies, and will work with any voltage 110 to 250 in either 50 or 60Hz. Cisco routers are a good example. The only thing you must order for the different voltage or frequency is to get the correct power cord for the country the unit will be used in.