Can I use a 50 Hz device in a 60 Hz power frequency?

Question

My mother in law just returned from Europe and brought me an espresso machine. It's rated 220v - 50 Hz (as written in the label), but the power system here is 220v - 60 Hz. Funny thing is that in the manufacturer website it says the model is actually 220v - 50/60 Hz.

Question is: can I use it here? By searching the internet I found some people saying it wouldn't work, others saying it would work but damage the machine eventually, and even others saying that the frequency difference only affects clocks/timers. So I'm kinda confused.

Should I try to use it?

Answer 1

The 60 Hz represents the frequency at which the voltage in the wire oscillates. Heating elements don't care about this, and neither do most electronic components as they turn this alternating current (AC) into constant (DC) direct current anyway.

If this is an all-singing, all-dancing, computer controlled extra-fancy espresso machine then I'd steer clear, though, as there's a remote chance you've one of the few devices where the cycles-per-second makes a difference. If it just uses power to heat an element you should be fine.

Disclaimer: operating the device outside of the region it's designed for will certainly void the warranty, and coffee in excess isn't good for you anyway.

Answer 2

I would not trust the manufacturer's website: there is a chance that the batch of coffee makers that yours came from was made with a different power supply or some other difference. Instead, look at the little sign that has model numbers, serial number, voltage, etc. If it says 220 V 50/60 Hz, then it's probably safe to use it in the US.

If it says 220 V 50 Hz, it's more uncertain. Many components should work fine, but perhaps some may overheat, not work, or run at the wrong speed. If the alternative is to throw the machine in the garbage, I would try it (with a transformer in order to convert 110 V to 220 V) but unplug it when not in use.

(P.S. Interesting tidbit: much of southern California used 50 Hz until 1948.)

Answer 3

Certain AC motors (synchronous motors) will turn at a rate proportional to the input frequency. Fancy espresso machines contain pumps, which may or may not be synchronous. So, it's possible that the different power line frequency will affect the machine's output.

If it has a pump driven by a synchronous motor, it'd be running slightly out of spec (16.7% different), which would produce a different water pressure than it expected. I believe that it shouldn't cause much of a difference in operation, but one would need to analyze the complete system to be sure.

Try it, and see what happens. There are unlikely to be any safety concerns with using the wrong power line frequency in this case.

Answer 4

Are you in the US? If so our household current is ~110V 60Hz unless you are using a special purpose outlet which are often used for air conditioners or electric oven/stoves and has a different plug/outlet which supply ~220V 60Hz. The ac frequency is unlikely to matter, but using the lower voltage is unlikely to work, also unlikely to damage anything.

Answer 5

All you need is a step up/step down transformer. It will convert 110v 60hz to 220v 50hz and vice versa. I used to get electronics from Japan and had to buy a transformer to make my Famicom work in the US :) Just FYI - the step up transformer purchased 15+ years ago for that purpose is still being used in my mother's house.

Something like this would work EDIT: actually too small for an espresso machine

Probably more like this