Author Topic: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz  (Read 30645 times)

BruceM

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #15 on: March 14, 2013, 02:22:21 AM »
Three big pluses for units with dual compressors instead of the open frame fan motor blowing air from the freezer into the refrigerator design that is more typical for NA refrigerators:

1. Much, much lower noise without the fan.
2. Vastly lower magnetic fields as the open frame fans are both inefficient as hell and spew a huge magnetic field.
3. Better temperature regulation in both compartments.

Thanks for the model info, Hugh.  I'll pass this on to all my off grid friends.





magnicon

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2013, 01:31:17 PM »
Glad that all went ok,also glad you did'nt buy a Beko product as they have been bursting into flames up and down the country.
Now for the reverse,in the late 70's or early 80's 'the guvnor' called us all round to his house to unload and install all of this American kitchen equipment he had aquired ,in those days a fridge was a fridge to us so we all looked in awe at this thing that was a fridge,a freezer,a chilled water dispenser and an ice maker all rolled into one.Only thing was it was 110 volt 60 hz,we ignored the frequency and bought a tool transformer and plugged it into that.It ran perfectly for years.Next job was the cooker (range),like the fridge it was an all singing,all dancing model with built in fume extraction and god knows what else. First off was the argument over 'it says 220 volt on the box',well it might be but the fan lights and timer are 120 volt,so got a small auto transformer for those and wired it in,every thing was fine,even the (digital)timer worked for about 20 mins then with a loud 'buuuurp' the fan motor decided it did'nt like 50hz and burn't out.Two more motors later the person he bought it off dissapeared never to be  seen again.

listerdiesel

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #17 on: March 15, 2013, 08:11:48 PM »
In general, the higher the supply frequency, the less iron is needed in the field and stator, and the efficiencies are better, 400Hz operating frequency taking it a stage further, with really skinny transformers and motors.

If you take it even further, to switch-mode power supplies, they run at 200kHz to 450kHz and the ferrite transformers are vanishingly small.

The 50Hz induction motor is not optimised for 60Hz operation, but it is the 'right way' round. 60Hz motor on 50Hz supply is not as good.

Motor speed will be faster at the higher frequency, but probably not noticeable.

Peter

buickanddeere

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2013, 05:01:42 PM »
Re Fridge size:

Yes it is smaller than the usual NA fridges, though we find the refrigerator part to be more than adequate. Lots of items that we formerly kept in the old fridge are now in the pantry....not really necessary to refrigerate all that stuff we usually keep there. The freezer is a bit smaller than we would like, though we have a couple of chest freezers out in the pump-house.

This particular fridge is a Bosch KDE29AL40 Total capacity is about 9 cu. ft. Freezer is about 2.3 cu. ft. with the remaining 6.7in the fridge.
If you needed a lot more capacity, two of these would give 18 cu. ft. and still use only 264KWH per year. We had a wide choice of brands and models, this one suited us best.
BTW it is QUIET!


As an additional comment on energy use, and why we don't have more efficient appliances widely available:I remember many years ago, there was a call for additional power generation in New York state. A proposal was made for an additional nuclear power station. Someone did the math, discovered that if each household was given (FREE) a new replacement energy efficient fridge, it would more than eliminate the need tor the nuke plant and at a very small fraction of the cost. Guess what happened..............
Cheers,
Hugh


Any possibility that the European appliance tests are different than the US test specs? Highway vehicle mileage is certainly different between US and Canadian tests for the identical vehicle.
       What can be the most significant load for a fridge and change the power consumption. Is not wall insulation and compressor/ motor efficiency.  It's how much warm moist air enters the fridge from the door open time or how many open steaming pot of food being are being placed in side. 
     You can have the most marvellous European fridge use more power with the kids standing with he door open while texting and eating. Vs your 20yr old American beer fridge that is opened for a total of 1 minute per day and holds sealed bottles.
     A fridge that reverses into a heat pump to defrost uses less power than a resistance heater to defrost.
      Want a really efficient fridge? Use an ordinary top opening chest freezer set for 35F. The cold air doesn't fall out when the door is opened.
     

Oiler

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #19 on: March 22, 2013, 12:43:26 PM »
Deere. Hard to tell really.

On the other hand, there must be a reason why the European import of appliances and cars from the us is allmost non existent.

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Armstrong Siddley AS1 for sale.

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xyzer

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #20 on: March 22, 2013, 02:46:51 PM »
After hanging out in Europe several(many) years ago. I observed both side of the pond are basically the same other than they have been at it a lot longer. Everything in the appliance, auto even houses were only sized for efficient use. You don't run a half load of laundry because any load was a full load. Comparing a European fridge  to a NA fridge is almost like comparing a original Mini cooper to a 58 Chevy station wagon. Obviously the mini is more efficient until you stick 6 people in and a small camp trailer on the back. More apple to apple testing needs to be done. I can't believe the Europeans have invented something special and we aren't using it......I have been wrong before!
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buickanddeere

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #21 on: March 22, 2013, 04:42:01 PM »
The 50HZ fridge  on 60HZ will be fine in cold or cool conditions. If the fridge is in a 120F ambient environment. Head pressure and running current is going to be at or above rated max .
   It could on some occasions require a larger orifice to limit head pressure due to the 120% higher cmf of gas flow.  More air cfm and cooler air over the condenser maybe enough to keep compressor current and temperature at safe levels. If the fridge environment is too hot.
      Nothing like the difference of just moving a few feet and being on the north side in the shade vs on the south side in the sun. If the opportunity is there.

sparks

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Re: 50Hz refrigerator running on 60Hz
« Reply #22 on: March 23, 2013, 01:48:48 PM »
Hi
I've been wondering what ambient temperature the various designs were tested at.
It's certainly true that trying to maintain a big temperature difference between inside and out will use more power than a small difference.
In most of Europe typical daytime temperatures will average around 14 Celsius (57 F) getting down to 5 C (41F) or below at night.
Normal seasonal variations apply, of course, but higher Summer temps will be balanced out by significantly lower Winter ones. Generally, people don't heat their kitchens at night, so most fridge compressors get a significant rest at night, because the cabinet temperature matches room temperature.
Is this true for America? Remember the testers will have to allow for a person living in Texas, measuring his power consumption, looking for an excuse to demand a refund!
I never take the figures quoted by manufacturers at face value.
As others have already stated, motors will tend to run a little faster on 60Hz, but the higher frequency will not take the coil (inductor, to give it it's proper name) as close to saturation so I would expect it to consume a little less power. In other words, I think the 50Hz motor running on 60Hz is probably safer than the other way about, though obviously there are no guarantees once you go outside the manufacturers specifications.
Be careful of anything with a clock, or timer in it, however. Many of these use the line frequency to sync their clocks, so they may run 20% fast...
sparks