European Power to US items

[bulldog10]

Question- We are moving to Europe for a few years. As we know the electrical system there is 220V/50 hz. There appears to be many types of step down transformers avaiable (so the 220 can be droped to 110), but what about the frequency? (I am a chemical engineer, but use A/B variable speed drives all over the plant (or inverters)). These units adjust the frequency very nicely. Are these type of units avaible for single phase non-industrial services?

 

[ischgl99]

Most if not all VFD manufactures make VFDs for single phase input voltage. I don't know the answer myself on this question, but I did hear someone mention it in the past couple days is some VFDs are designed for 220 input on a single wire whereas VFDs used in home shops here can be used with 2 wires running 120. I haven't checked on that since it doesn't concern me yet, but it may be an issue if you buy a VFD here and expect to use it over there. I'm sure someone else here can answer that for both of us. As for the 50/60 Hz, that would not be a problem with the ones I have seen, they all were rated for both frequencies. Mike Bensema

http://www.dutchmenservices.com

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Some manufacturers, e.g. Siemens, ABB, etc., offer fixed frequency converters (somewhat similar to VFDs) from 50Hz to 60Hz and vice versa. Some 3phase frequency converters are design to work with one phase only with appropriate power derating.

 

[electricuwe]

bulldog10,

if I got your question right you are considering the use of your household equipment in europe.

Generally the following applies:

Equipment using induction motors (e.g refrigerator) or line frequency transformers cannot be operated at lower frequency then the one it was designed for. Contrary most equipment having electronic power supplies can operate with 50Hz as well as with 60 Hz. Search the forums at eng-tips for more details.

Inverters used for variable speed drives change the frequency but the are only suitable to supply three pahse induction motors. The output voltage is a PWM modulated sine-wave containing lots of high frequency harmonics. Supplying such a voltage to household equipment might lead destrcution of the equipment especially if capacitors are involved, e.g. with single phase induction motors.

Beside this there are lots of other things to consider:

Your TV might use a different standard for the coding of the color signal (NTSC in US, PAL in europe)
Your DVD player might only accept media coded for the region you bought it.

Considering the cost of equipment and cost, duration and risk of transporttion I would recommend to buy new equipment in europe.

 

[Lewish]

Take a look at -

http://www.anaconsystems.com/

they have single phase solutions for single phase motors.

 

[jraef]

bulldog10,
Electricuwe has it right. Those little converter transformers sold for travellers are OK for short trips to operate an electric shaver, hair dryer or iron, but running appliances for a couple of years at the wrong frequency will eventually damage them. Electronic frequency converters, even the single phase ones suggested by Lewish, only work for very particular types of motors and typically not the kind found in most appliances. Another issue about appliances is service. Should anything go wrong you will not find service techs easilly in europe who can fix US appliances since they are not exported for these other reasons.

Look on the back of your small electric devices and see if they are rated for 50/60Hz. Some may even have a little switch to change voltages. My PC power supply for instance has a switch for 110-220V, and is rated to operate from 47 - 63Hz. If they are rated or have the switches, they are OK to take. Leave the TV, VCR and DVD at home though. Electricuwe is right about the signal differences. Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Visit

http://www.electroline.com.au/elc/feature_story/112001.asp

http://www.majorpower.com/frequency/?source=google

etc. for more info

 

[busbar]

If cost is of low priority, a device such as this could do the job:

http://www.aseapower.com/products/ac36-3.htm

 

[jimbobpe]

I agree with electricuwe. One more suggestion: Do you know anyone that was prior military that was stationed overseas? Perhaps check with your local military recruiter and see his/her advice on appliances and such.