Voltage Converters

Alternating Current (AC) is so named because the electrons in the conductor electricity reverse their direction of movement in cycles (Hz). This is a property of electricity and not of the conductor. Any conductor of electricity can supply alternating current. Most domestic appliances and other utilities in American homes and across the American continent use AC that works at 60 Hz (the electrons in the conductor reverse direction 60 times per second). Across Europe and most parts of Asia, similar appliances work at the rate of 50 Hz. There are some specialized equipment, for example military aircraft and so on, that can generate close to 400Hz power but these are hardly ever found outside of their area of function.

Alternating current can be generated at different voltages. On the American continent, the most commonly use voltage, the one found in every home, is 120 Volts AC, or often written as 120 Vac 60 Hz. Commercial equipment, like heavy duty machines in factories etc, uses a higher voltage and their ratings are typically between 200-240 Vac 60 Hz. Throughout Europe the most commonly used voltage type is 230 Vac 50Hz as well as some other 50 Hz voltages depending on the end use of the power. Frequency voltage converters are the only means available that help to convert the power output of one type into another. These voltage converters are also known as frequency voltage converters.

If you have traveled abroad with US manufactured equipment then you must already have observed that most items of common use that run on electricity are designed to work at 120 Vac 60Hz. This makes it impossible to operate them in Europe or Asia without using intermediate voltage converters. International voltage converters are not complicated in their construction. They typically consist of one transfer that steps the voltage up or down to match that of the equipment you want to run. International voltage converters may or may not be solid-state frequency converters.

The transformer type voltage converters do not convert the AC frequency. So 120 Vac 60 Hz will be converted to 240 Vac 60Hz and not 240 Vac 50Hz. Some electronic items are carefully constructed to work at a specific AC frequency in order to avoid damage and that is why you must exercise utmost caution when looking for voltage converters. Operating electronic equipment at other AC frequencies can damage them beyond repair. You just need to look at the label on the electronic item because every well-designed item will have the electricity input requirement clearly mentioned. If it is not on the item then consult the manual that came with it.

Voltage converters that can also convert the frequency are a lot more complicated as well as expensive. This is because such converters need to generate a sine wave of the right frequency in order to avoid damaging the equipment they supply with power. This is not as easy as stepping the voltage up or down and you must buy such a voltage converter from a reputed manufacturer only.