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Explanation of the different alternating current electricity voltages and frequencies used throughout the world by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics. Also refer to physical science, AC, DC, direct current, Edison, Tesla, volts, Hertz, Hz, transformer, converter, adapter, electric, electronic, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Background of Worldwide AC Voltages and Frequencies
by Ron Kurtus (revised 16 February 2009)
The standard voltage and frequency of alternating current (AC) electricity varies from country to country throughout the world. Typically, either 110-volt AC (110V) or 220-volt AC (220V) voltages are used. Most countries use 50Hz (50 Hertz or 50 cycles per second) as the frequency of their AC. Only a handful use 60Hz. The United States uses 110V and 60Hz AC electricity.
For a listing of voltages and frequencies in various countries, see
List of Worldwide
AC Voltages and Frequencies.
Questions you may have include:
- How were the voltage and frequency values selected?
- What exceptions are there?
- What happens when you visit another country?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
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How values were selected
The type of electricity delivered to homes and businesses was first direct current (DC) but then changed to AC electricity. The standard voltage level started at 110V, went to 240V, back to 110V, and then to 220V. The frequency started at 60Hz and then went to 50Hz in most areas.
Tesla starts AC
Early in the history or electricity, Thomas Edison's General Electric Company was distributing DC electricity at 110 volts in the United States. Then Nikola Tesla devised a system of three-phase AC electricity at 240 volts. Three-phase meant that three alternating currents slightly out of phase were combined in order to even out the great variations in voltage occurring in AC electricity. He had calculated that 60 cycles per second or 60Hz was the most effective frequency. Tesla later compromised to reduce the voltage to 110 volts for safety reasons.
Europe goes to 50Hz
With the backing of the Westinghouse Company, Tesla's AC system became the standard in the United States. Meanwhile, the German company AEG started generating electricity and became a virtual monopoly in Europe. They decided to use 50Hz instead of 60Hz to better fit their metric standards, but they kept the voltage at 110V.
Unfortunately, 50Hz AC has greater losses and is not as efficient as 60HZ. Due to the slower speed 50Hz electrical generators are 20% less effective than 60Hz generators. Electrical transmission at 50Hz is about 10-15% less efficient. 50Hz transformers require larger windings and 50Hz electric motors are less efficient than those meant to run at 60Hz. They are more costly to make to handle the electrical losses and the extra heat generated at the lower frequency.
Europe goes to 220V
Europe stayed at 110V AC until the 1950s, just after World War II. They then switched over to 220V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. Great Britain not only switched to 220V, but they also changed from 60Hz to 50Hz to follow the European lead. Since many people did not yet have electrical appliances in Europe after the war, the change-over was not that expensive for them.
U.S. stays at 110V, 60Hz
The United States also considered converting to 220V for home use but felt it would be too costly, due to all the 110V electrical appliances people had. A compromise was made in the U.S. in that 220V would come into the house where it would be split to 110V to power most appliances. Certain household appliances such as the electric stove and electric clothes dryer would be powered at 220V.
Exceptions
Some countries can't decide on a standard.
Brazil
In Brazil, most states use between 110V and 127V AC electricity. But many hotels use 220V. In the capital Brasilia and in the northeast of the country, they mainly use 220-240V.
Japan
In Japan, they use the same voltage everywhere, but the frequency differs from region to region. Eastern Japan, which includes Tokyo, uses 50Hz. In western Japan, which includes Osaka and Kyoto, they use 60 Hz.
The reason for this is that after World War II, Britain was in charge of helping reconstruct Japan's electrical system in the eastern part of the country and the United States set up the electricity in the western part of Japan. Since Great Britain (United Kingdom) had been using 60Hz before the war and had just switched over to the European 240V 50Hz, it is strange that they set up Japan at 100V and 50Hz, especially when the U.S. was using 60Hz.
Having different voltages and frequencies within the country not only must be confusing for the people but also can result in extra costs for appliances and adapters.
When visiting another country
Bringing an electrical appliance from one country to another may require some special converters, transformers and adapters to allow the appliance or device to work properly.
Converters
Converters are typically used to decrease the AC voltage from 220V to the 110V level needed by the appliance.
They are only used for simple electrical products such as hair dryers, steam irons, shavers, or small fans. They are only used for short periods of time, can only be used for ungrounded appliances, and must be unplugged from the wall when not in use.
Converters cannot be used by electronic devices such as radios or computers. A transformer is used for those devices. The reason is that a converter simply cuts the AC sine wave in half, reducing the voltage. Electronic devices need the full sine wave to function properly.
Some converters will also change AC to DC. An example is converting 120V AC to 12V DC.
Transformers
Transformers are used to increase or decrease the voltage and should be used with electronic devices such as radios, televisions, computers and other devices having electronics circuitry.
Transformers are more expensive than converters. They can also be used with electric appliances and may be operated continually for many days. A device like a hair dryer does not have any electronic circuitry. It simply has a heatingr element and electric fan, so it can use either a converter or transformer.
Dual voltage devices
Some devices have a built-in converter or transformer, such that they are called dual voltage devices. Most laptop battery chargers and AC adapters are dual voltage, so they can be used with only a plug adapter for the country you are visiting.
Plug Adapters
Outlet plugs are different in the various countries. Plug adapter must often be used when visiting a different country. These adapters do not convert electricity. Rather, they simply allow a dual voltage appliance, transformer or converter from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country.
Frequency difference
Converters and transformers only change the voltage and not the frequency. The result is that a motor in a 50Hz appliance will operate slightly faster on 60Hz electricity. Likewise, a clock made for 60Hz will run slower in a country using the 50Hz frequency.
Most modern electronic equipment like computers, printers, DVD players and stereos are usually not affected by the frequency difference.
Summary
The voltage and frequency of AC electricity varies from country to country throughout the world. Most use 220V and 50Hz. About 20% of the countries use 110V and/or 60Hz to power their homes. 220V and 60Hz are the most efficient values, but only a few countries use that combination. The United States uses 110V and 60Hz AC electricity.
Electrify society by applying your knowledge of science
Resources and references
Following are some resources on this subject.
Web sites
World Standards - Electricity standards
Elements of AC Electricity - Basic electronics tutorial site
DC and AC Electricity Resources
Books
Basic Electricity by Bureau of Naval Personnel; Dover Pubns; (1970) $14.95 - Provides thorough coverage of the basic theory of electricity and its applications
Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics by Stan Gibilisco; McGraw-Hill; (2001) $34.95 - Guide for professionals, hobbyists and technicians desiring to learn AC and DC circuits
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physics. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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