this post was submitted on 01 Aug 2026
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Does the 50Hz & 60Hz difference matter at all or not? (feddit.online)
submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by animemann80@feddit.online to c/askelectronics@discuss.tchncs.de
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The 240-120 voltage problem can be remedied by using transformers but that doesn't negate the frequency difference between grids. Australia operates on 230v @ 50Hz while the US works with 120V @ 60Hz for instance, as certain electronics that are singular voltage (Hair Dryers, Desk Fans or Electric Blankets) have their frequencies disclosed even if the voltage on those are different than the one that country uses.

Does plugging in a device that has 120v-60Hz via a transformer on a grid that operates on 230v-50Hz ruin the device due to either heating elements or motors inside? Even between countries that work with 220-40v but one uses 50Hz while the other uses 60Hz, does that render those electronics (like dehumidifiers, power drills, curling irons) incompatible despite them using similar voltage (like 220v vs 230v)?

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[–] sun_is_ra@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 week ago
  • heating elements don't care about frequency
  • modern transformers (any laptop adapter, phone charger, ....) won't care about frequency because internally it convert AC to DC and then produce AC again in a much higher frequency.
  • inductive loads (like motors, fans, microwave) do care about frequency. A fan that was designed to work @ 60Hz could burn out @ 50hz
  • some ultra cheap low power chines devices (say a tiny bug zapper or dim LED) can rely on capacitive dropper can also be affected. so a device designed to run @ 50hz could burn out @ 60hz (opposite from inductive loads)