Mains frequency change

asturias · 9th November 2009, 09:10 AM

Is there an easy path to change the frequency of the mains? My amplifiers do work on 220V/50Hz mains where I reside, but it really is designed for 60Hz operation, according to the designer. Thanks in advance for all your inputs.

AndrewT · 9th November 2009, 10:23 AM

no.
the hardware to change from 50Hz to 60Hz will be expensive.

luka · 9th November 2009, 10:35 AM

also I think you could use 50Hz amp on 60Hz, not a big change IF the voltage will still be 220v

star882 · 9th November 2009, 01:48 PM

You can use a special inverter or cycloconverter, but you don't need one. Modern power supples convert the incoming AC into DC before doing anything, so frequency doesn't matter much.

cerrem · 9th November 2009, 09:34 PM

IMHO ...I don't believe it to be a big deal...
When you design transformers you typically make sure it is good for both 50 and 60 HZ.. With 50 Hz the flux denisty will go up about 825 Gauss with respect to 60 Hz operation.... So any descent transformer for quality equipment should be designed with conservative core losses in the first place.... another 825 gauss will give a bit more core loss and a little more heat, but should not be significant... If another 825 Gauss put the transformer in trouble, then the steel was being pushed too hard in the first place for 60 Hz...
As for voltage ripple after rectification, you now have 100Hz to filter instead of 120Hz.... This is roughly 6dB less filtering than at 120Hz..This may or may not be a problem....Added capacitance can help, but watch out for peak current with reduced diode conduction angle...

Chris

Andrew Eckhardt · 9th November 2009, 09:46 PM

You will have absolutely no problem going from 50 to 60Hz at the same voltage. The other way around could make things slightly warmer.

star882 · 9th November 2009, 10:09 PM

If the voltage regulators become stressed at lower frequencies, the input capacitors are way too small.

sawreyrw · 9th November 2009, 10:20 PM

star882

Transformer saturation could be a problem, if a 60 Hz transformer is run at 50 Hz and the line voltage is at it's upper limit.

Rick

star882 · 9th November 2009, 10:46 PM

I have not seen very many mains frequency transformers in modern equipment. Switchers are now the power supply of choice.

sawreyrw · 9th November 2009, 10:58 PM

Are SMPS used in audio equipment?

9th November 2009, 09:10 AM	#1
asturias diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2009	Mains frequency change Is there an easy path to change the frequency of the mains? My amplifiers do work on 220V/50Hz mains where I reside, but it really is designed for 60Hz operation, according to the designer. Thanks in advance for all your inputs.

9th November 2009, 10:23 AM	#2
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	no. the hardware to change from 50Hz to 60Hz will be expensive. __________________ regards Andrew T.

9th November 2009, 01:48 PM	#4
star882 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	You can use a special inverter or cycloconverter, but you don't need one. Modern power supples convert the incoming AC into DC before doing anything, so frequency doesn't matter much. __________________ "Fully on MOSFET = closed switch, Fully off MOSFET = open switch, Half on MOSFET = poor imitation of Tiffany Yep." - also applies to IGBTs!

9th November 2009, 10:09 PM	#7
star882 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	If the voltage regulators become stressed at lower frequencies, the input capacitors are way too small. __________________ "Fully on MOSFET = closed switch, Fully off MOSFET = open switch, Half on MOSFET = poor imitation of Tiffany Yep." - also applies to IGBTs!

9th November 2009, 10:46 PM	#9
star882 diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007	I have not seen very many mains frequency transformers in modern equipment. Switchers are now the power supply of choice. __________________ "Fully on MOSFET = closed switch, Fully off MOSFET = open switch, Half on MOSFET = poor imitation of Tiffany Yep." - also applies to IGBTs!


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9th November 2009, 10:35 AM	#3
luka diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: in Slovenia :)	also I think you could use 50Hz amp on 60Hz, not a big change IF the voltage will still be 220v

9th November 2009, 09:34 PM	#5
cerrem diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego, CA	IMHO ...I don't believe it to be a big deal... When you design transformers you typically make sure it is good for both 50 and 60 HZ.. With 50 Hz the flux denisty will go up about 825 Gauss with respect to 60 Hz operation.... So any descent transformer for quality equipment should be designed with conservative core losses in the first place.... another 825 gauss will give a bit more core loss and a little more heat, but should not be significant... If another 825 Gauss put the transformer in trouble, then the steel was being pushed too hard in the first place for 60 Hz... As for voltage ripple after rectification, you now have 100Hz to filter instead of 120Hz.... This is roughly 6dB less filtering than at 120Hz..This may or may not be a problem....Added capacitance can help, but watch out for peak current with reduced diode conduction angle... Chris

9th November 2009, 09:46 PM	#6
Andrew Eckhardt diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: PA	You will have absolutely no problem going from 50 to 60Hz at the same voltage. The other way around could make things slightly warmer.

9th November 2009, 10:20 PM	#8
sawreyrw diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Minnesota	star882 Transformer saturation could be a problem, if a 60 Hz transformer is run at 50 Hz and the line voltage is at it's upper limit. Rick

9th November 2009, 10:58 PM	#10
sawreyrw diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Minnesota	Are SMPS used in audio equipment?

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