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
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
Banned
Joined 2002
some have it, but most really high end equipment doesn't really use it. I'm not a fan
some have it, but most really high end equipment doesn't really use it. I'm not a fan
It seems to be mainly used in pro gear where the weight reduction is serious.
Banned
Joined 2002
I remember getting hold of a qsc schematic once, DAM those are light amplifiers but tons of welding power
J'
Any given power transformer will perform a bit worse at 50 Hz, even if designed for it. The name of the transformer game is cost, so they try to use the cheapest transformer steel and as little of it as possible. If your power transformer isn't producing mechanical hum, and if it isn't running excessively warm, don't worry about it. The cure is worse than the disease. You'd have to get something like a California Instruments, Invertron or Elgar voltage/frequency converter. (can't remember who makes what) The cost would be prohibitive and they're often noisy. Most audio equipment is way over designed when you consider the real average power requirements, so both the tranny and filter caps are probably fine for 50 Hz. OTOH, I used to have an Integral System 100W/ch amp with a transformer that hummed and ran hot enough to cook on even at 60 Hz. Just a very low quality part.
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