Will 230V/60Hz motor work with 230V/50Hz?

[Rob Patterson]

I'm trying to buy a new air compressor while I'm sationed in Germany but I need to know what will work. I can get a US spec compressor that says 230V/60Hz but will it work with Germany's 230V/50Hz? Or can I get a German Spec 230V/50Hz and use it when I get back the states? I've tried looking at many different brands but I can't find many detailed specs.

Another thing I'm looking at is a Mig Welder 230V. I noticed the Hobart Handler 175 specifies that it can work with 50Hz or 60Hz with only a lower duty cycle with 50Hz. I've also looked at Miller and Lincoln, but neither of them list 50Hz in the specs. Would the Lincoln or Miller be just like the Hobart? Or, are they only 230V/60Hz?

Thanks,
Rob Patterson

 

[FatXJ]

From what I remember about electricity the simple answer is yes it will work. The 60Hz motor on a 50Hz system will just be slower but the voltage is the same so no damage can be done.

This is how I see it but I am by no means an electrician.

 

[old_man]

The motor will run slower and somewhat hotter but most likely should be fine as long as you watch it.

 

[8Mud]

60HZ motors, run at 50HZ, make more heat. Anything from ventilator motors in a welder, to major motors in a compressor. Depending on how stindgy the manufacturer was, with the engineering and materials, motors can fail pre-maturally, due to the heat. At the least, bi-metals and built in heat protection, can make use a pain.
Many equipement manufactures make export models wired 50/60 HZ. Another thing to keep in mind is the line voltage in most of 50 HZ land, is some higher than the advertised 220, more often 230, sometimes 235, depending on the time of day and proximity to the power plant. Many of the export models are 240 volt spec.
Many of the older appliances 115 V 60 HZ, required a transformer to step them down from the 220V (230v) to 105 V to deal with the extra heat and marginal engineering. Most of the newer motors, I´ve seen, are labeled 50/60 HZ. They build many for export now on days. Hobart is a multi-national company, pretty much world wide.
If you need some help, E-mail for advice, I don´t know all the answers, but have been in Germany, longer than most Germans :wow:

 

[Rob Patterson]

Everyone,
Thanks for the help. Motors running hotter explains the lower duty cycle. I can live with the lower duty cycle for the remaining time I'm in Germany. Now what would happen if I buy a 230/50Hz air compressor motor and bring it back to the states and run it at 60Hz? Will it run cooler and more efficient, would I be that lucky? Or would it run worse because the US is usually not a true 230V?

Thanks,

 

[8Mud]

I´ve never run a larger motor, wound for 230V 50HZ back in the states. Hand tools sawsall, large drill all seemed to do OK.
Guessing, I´d say you´d loss some efficeincy, not only from the lower voltage and usuable AMPs, but also from the different windings. Windings are tuned to work close, to what the engineered voltage and HZ is.
Most compressors, are much more expensive in Germany anyway. Unless it´s a rush order, you would probably do better ordering from the states. Someplace as close to N.Y. as practical, as most times, if you have access to military mail, shipping from NY to Germany is free. I´ve shipped items special handling before, have the supplier, split the compressor from the tank to keep it under the wieght limits, if necessary.
Just my 2 cents worth.