Voltage and Frequency in appliances
ifoco
last year
last modified: last year
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (17)
ifoco
last yearlast modified: last yearRelated Discussions
Voltage mismatch
Comments (12)Your transformer changes the voltage but not the frequency. I'm not an expert, but unless the AC motor was designed to operate at BOTH 50 or 60 cycles per second, using something built for one, in the other, will often either work poorly or damage the motor. The cycle mismatch causes it to turn either too fast (50 motor connected to 60) or too slow (60 motor connected to 50). Devices without motors (like the dual voltage power supplies for laptops) don't have the issue, because the power supplied to the device is DC, not AC. Whether your door opener will function adequately, or will last, is something I can't answer. Find an electrician to talk to, they may have more to add. Also, you probably know, transformers consume a lot of electricity. You can tell from how warm they get....See MoreVoltage regulator for thermostat?
Comments (14)It's possible that the assumptions here are all wrong. First of all, if it's a fuse that's blowing then the problem is over current and not necessarily over voltage. Noise on the line, if that's a problem, is likely introduced after the 24-volt transformer, as a power transformer by its very nature, being an inductor, will likely not pass transient high frequency noise, it's too slow to react unless it's part of a switching power supply design or an oscillator. The 3-legged packaged regulator (DC) referred to is likely a TO-220 (maybe a TO-92) package. A small value (capacitance) bypass cap may help if in fact there is some sort of RF transients being introduced (after the transformer secondary winding). Even though 24-volt AC feeds this device, it most certainly must convert this AC to DC (probably 12-volt) in order to function. There should be regulation and bypass built into the design. Another possible but expensive solution might be 'Whole House Surge Protection' installed right at the load center (electrical entrance). This should provide protection from voltage spikes originating from both sides of the load center (utility & internal). Besides, now that we have microprocessor controlled HVAC systems with ECM motors, microprocessor controlled 220-volt stoves, ovens, dryers etc., how else can we protect these sensitive devices from spikes? It's not just your large screen A/V system that needs this type of protection in today's world. You can't buy a Monster Power Bar for your HP! Another advantage of Whole House Surge Protection is that it ties all the separate grounds of the electrical utility, telephone lines and cable lines together to one common ground. Have you ever tried measuring the voltage (AC) between these grounds with a Fluke? The comment that is most interesting is from mike_home regarding humidity and static electricity, though I suspect the source of the problem lies elsewhere. Back to this Nest thing, what's directly on this fuse's circuit that's drawing so much current? This could be a design flaw and may not be up to you to solve. SR...See MoreStupid question - what is the standard home voltage in the USA?
Comments (4)A typical US household voltage is 120/240 V, 60 hz, single phase. There is a tolerance and the actual measured voltage is rarely exactly 120 volts. A common reading at my house is 117 volts. Industrial motors are made and rated in multiples of 115V (115, 230, 460, and 550Vac) for use on line voltages in multiples of 120 V (120, 240, 480, and 600 Vac). A 115 Volt motor will not be harmed when placed across a 120 v line. The motor was rated at 115 v and will conform to the data on its nametag at 115 Vac. It may have a bit more torque at higher voltages. The difference in the two voltage series is to allow for line drop. A fully loaded motor on a 120 V line may have only 115V at the motor terminals when there is significant line drop. The line frequency for the US power grid is classed ok for clocks. However, there is a little known feature which is the frequency may vary throughout the day within acceptable limits. The frequency of the US grid is quite good, but it is not as precise as one might think. The only commitment by a power company is that it will deliver the correct number of cycles in a 24 hour period. For any given minute, the number of cycles may be more or less than 60 x 60 or 3600 cycles per minute. Years ago, the way the power station at the University of Illinois did it was to run two clocks: one ran from the power station and the second was slaved to WWV, the national time standard. When the station operator saw that the station clock was falling behind, he'd adjust the governors upward and vice versa if he saw the power station clock running ahead. I'd assume that process is fully automated these days, but this example was given to demonstrate that the line frequency can and does vary....See MoreBosch dishwasher - watertap error frequency?
Comments (12)This may be too late for the OP, but, IME, when a Bosch DW shows a "water tap" error code, the problem is usually with the water supply side rather than the drain and filter in the bottom of the dishwasher. However, some Bosch models just give you a flashing indicator light or icon. With those, the problem can be anywhere. If the problem is on the drain side, I've always found it with the drain line rather than the filter in the bottom of the dishwasher. The problem I've seen a couple of times when helping neighbors figure out why their newly installed Bosch dishwashers were shutting down is that the drain was installed without a high loop or air gap or somebody forgot to clear the "knockout" from the fitting where the drain line connects to the disposal or drain pipe under the sink. Once, with a washer that had been working fine but then stopped, I found the drain hose plugged with what looked like pet hair which had collected and jammed at the air gap. On Bosch models with a digital error code display, the problem has invariably turned out to be with the water supply side. Once, I found something or someone had inadvertantly bumped and partially closed the valve on the supply line take-off under the sink. (Easy fix; just open the valve back up all the way). Another time, I found the input-line's filter screen partially obstructed by loose bits of rust and calcification from a failing water heater. Once (when I installed the Bosch I bought for myself in 2017) I found a cracked intake solenoid housing at the back of the washer; enough water was dribbling out to trigger the shutoff in the unit's drain pan. (Fixed under warranty.) The other thing I've heard about is a fault in "AquaStop" supply hose that some folks buy as extra protection against the risk of flooding from a burst supply hose. (These may come with some of the more expensive Bosch models.) They are supposed to shut off the water supply when a sensor detects excess flow signifying a burst hose. The sensor in my friend's AquaStop hose was defective. It was triggering randomly and stopping the water flow into the washer. Solution: replace the AquaStop with an ordinary supply hose....See Moreifoco
last yearifoco
last yearkaseki
last yearwdccruise
last yearlast modified: last yearifoco
last yearifoco
last yearBlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA
last yearlast modified: last yearifoco thanked BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MAifoco
last year
Related Stories
KITCHEN STORAGEMove Over, Soup Cans — the Kitchen Appliances Are Here
Design a pantry with room for mixers, coffeemakers and more, for less countertop clutter and handy access
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNHow to Choose Kitchen Appliances for Universal Design
Accessibility and safety features for kitchen appliances let everyone in on the cooking fun
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNA Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances
An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNEmbrace a Hot Trend With a Kitchen Warming Drawer
Serve food at just the right temperature with this increasingly popular appliance, coordinated to match your kitchen's style
Full StoryKITCHEN APPLIANCESLove to Cook? You Need a Fan. Find the Right Kind for You
Don't send budget dollars up in smoke when you need new kitchen ventilation. Here are 9 top types to consider
Full StoryKITCHEN APPLIANCESFind the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen
For a kitchen setup with sizzle, deciding between gas and electric is only the first hurdle. This guide can help
Full StoryKITCHEN APPLIANCESDisappearing Range Hoods: A New Trend?
Concealed exhaust fans cut visual clutter in the kitchen
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNHow to Choose the Right Hood Fan for Your Kitchen
Keep your kitchen clean and your home's air fresh by understanding all the options for ventilating via a hood fan
Full StoryHOME TECHTop Kitchen Innovations From the Latest Fairs in Milan
Microkitchens, concealed burners and new oven technologies are some of the surprises for 2018
Full StoryHOME TECHNew TV Remote Controls Promise to Do More — Without the Struggle
Dim your lights, set up user profiles and discover a remote you can't lose. Welcome to the latest and greatest way to change the channel
Full Story
kaseki