Step down transformers

[subtechy]

My friend has taken a fridge freezer back from the States with him. Beautiful machine, Ice maker etc and he doesn't want to get rid of it. It is rated at 115Volts 60Hz. He has been told that the only step down transformer he can get operates at 50Hz. My understanding has always been that 50Hz is the rate at which the Current alternates. Can anyone tell me if this is going to cause any problems with the operation of the machine or with the transformer?

 

[dpc]

The compressor motor (and other motors) will run at 5/6 normal speed. Unit may still work, but not at rated output or efficiency. This depends on the speed-torque curve of the compressor.

Have him look on the nameplate to see if it is listed as "60Hz" or "50/60Hz".

 

[Lewish]

How new is the fridge? Some of the very newest high-efficiency models have a VFD for the compressor, so incoming line frequency is not relavant. Check to see if this is the case.

 

[4z4rb]

In Israel the line is 220v/50Hz.
I brought a fridge from the states and ran it on a trafo 110/220. its been like this for 20 years.
baruch 4z4rb.

 

[electricuwe]

I would recommend to use a step down transfomer 230V/96V.

The voltage has to be reduced according to the ratio of the frequencies: 96=115*50/60

A transformer with taps might be useful so that the voltage can be adjsuted so that the motor starts properly but doesn't overheat on the long run.