What home appliances besides a microwave oven will significantly suffer from 50Hz vs. 60Hz. differences?
I am originally from the USA. We use 110/120-volt appliances, on 60-Hertz (cycles). Most of Europe uses 220-230-volt apppliances. Most also function on 50-Hertz (cycles). Step-up/step-down converters (transformers) can address the change of voltage, whether you are using Euro-built appliances in No. America or vice versa. But, the difference in cycles wears on any appliances using motors. Microwave ovens are nearly EXPECTED to be killed over a period of time. They are particularly succeptible to the difference between 50 Hz. and 60 Hz.
I am currently living/working in Germany, and the summer transfer season for the expatriate community is approaching, and households are selling used kitchen and other household Appliances. This is a great time to upgrade, but, why invest much money if the appliances will suffer a guaranteed short life, plugged into a transformer? So, my question–in addition to microwave ovens, what other appliances suffer badly from a cycle variance?
Motors are most vulnerable to 50 Hz issues. Most consumer products don’t care about line frequency; if you use a transformer to get to the right voltage, they’re fine. Internally, they convert AC to DC anyway, so frequency is irrelevant.
Microwave ovens have motors inside, so they shouldn’t be used with a transformer unless they’re rated "50-60 Hz". Electric shavers are always a risk. Blenders might be a bad idea, too — but they have heavy-duty motors, so might be okay anyway. Most devices should be okay.
Teevees that aren’t designed for your area won’t work anyway, even if you somehow come up with the right power for them. The issue isn’t just voltage and frequency; it’s NTSC vs PAL. The video signal formats are incompatible.
If you’re already in Germany and you’re thinking of buying used from other expats, I’d say just go for it. They’ll let the stuff go cheap so you’re hardly risking the bank. And in most cases, they’ll have been using the product for a year before you get it — so if it didn’t die on them, it probably won’t die on you.
Good luck!
Motors are most vulnerable to 50 Hz issues. Most consumer products don’t care about line frequency; if you use a transformer to get to the right voltage, they’re fine. Internally, they convert AC to DC anyway, so frequency is irrelevant.
Microwave ovens have motors inside, so they shouldn’t be used with a transformer unless they’re rated "50-60 Hz". Electric shavers are always a risk. Blenders might be a bad idea, too — but they have heavy-duty motors, so might be okay anyway. Most devices should be okay.
Teevees that aren’t designed for your area won’t work anyway, even if you somehow come up with the right power for them. The issue isn’t just voltage and frequency; it’s NTSC vs PAL. The video signal formats are incompatible.
If you’re already in Germany and you’re thinking of buying used from other expats, I’d say just go for it. They’ll let the stuff go cheap so you’re hardly risking the bank. And in most cases, they’ll have been using the product for a year before you get it — so if it didn’t die on them, it probably won’t die on you.
Good luck!
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TV
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Some devices use the frequency as an internal clock so for example a clock radio may not work as expected.
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Very few appliances will suffer the difference. The US at one time many years ago was a 50 hertz user and all motors were exactly that. They will run with no problem on the 50 htz so nothing to worry about there. Some RPM units will be different like house fans and so forth. All should work though.
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