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Feedback Comments on Electricity
by Ron Kurtus
A total of 724 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
You can read them to further your understanding of the subject.
List of most recent 10 letters
Topic |
Title |
Country |
AC World Voltages | Voltage and frequency used in europe? | India |
AC World Voltages | Plugs on appliances from 1950 get hot | USA |
AC World Voltages | Will induction motor from Japan work OK? | USA |
AC | AC and DC electricity | Oman |
Electrical Power | Ceiling fan kicks off circuit breaker | USA |
Electricity | Conducting high voltages through air | Bangladesh |
AC World Voltages | Using a 220V fan in the US | USA |
AC World Voltages | Bringing in a freezer from Manila to Australia | Australia |
AC World Voltages | Using 50Hz devices on 60Hz | Viet Nam |
DC | Confusion about direction of electron motion | Tonga |
Voltage and frequency used in europe?
Topic: AC World Voltages
Question
March 1, 2016
how much voltage and frequency used in europe? please Answer me as soon as..... possible
Bharathi - India
26828
Answer
Most countries use 230V and 50Hz.
See List of Worldwide AC Voltages and Frequencies for values in various countries.
Plugs on appliances from 1950 get hot
Topic: AC World Voltages
Question
February 20, 2016
I have several appliances that had belonged to my grandmother. They are all from the 1950s. (A deep fryer, waffle maker and sewing machine). In the states their plugins seem to get hot and I have to be careful to not get shocked when unplugging them. For a while now, I have lived in Asia, and these appliances seem to work better.
My question is, were the older appliances made to be on a different voltage or Hz? Is it just coincidence? I wonder when I return to the states if a converter is necessary for them to work their best or not.
Thank you,
RB
- USA
26796
Answer
Appliances meant to run on 50 Hz will run slightly warmer on 60 Hz.
However, electrical appliances that are over 60 years old have gone well past their useful life. Not only do they take more current than newer models but there is also the risk of wires shorting out and causing problems.
If the plugs seem hot, that is a warning sign to you. It would be est to start thinking of replacing those appliances.
Will induction motor from Japan work OK?
Topic: AC World Voltages
Question
February 18, 2016
I have acquired an induction motor from Japan whose data plate says: 100V 60hz 0.48a, single phase, 25W with a 7.0 uF capacitor.
Can this be safely used without a transformer on regular 110v 60hz US household current?
Thanks
Scott - USA
26790
Answer
The motor will run a little hotter with a 10% higher U.S. voltage. In general, that would not be a problem with only 25W power.
However, just to make sure, you could check with the company.
AC and DC electricity
Topic: AC
Question
November 21, 2015
I want in conclusion Ac and Dc currant
khalid - Oman
26553
Answer
See Direct Current (DC) Electricity and Alternating Current (AC) Electricity for information.
Ceiling fan kicks off circuit breaker
Topic: Electrical Power
Question
October 23, 2015
Hook up a ceiling fan and ran my wire ,to the switch on the wall which is were I get my power .but it keeps kicking off the breaker box
sergio f navarro - USA
26470
Answer
If the circuit breaker keeps kicking off, it could mean a short circuit or that your fan is drawing too much current.
A number of things to consider are: Is the fan the correct type for the power input? Do you have the correct wires connected: hot wire to hot and common to common? Is the grounding connected properly?
I hope that helps getting your fan to work properly.
Conducting high voltages through air
Topic: Electricity
Question
October 16, 2015
Is it possible to conduct high voltage(11000 to 33000)voltage through the air ?
In what condition air can be transformed as a plasma.....?
Taslimur - Bangladesh
26448
Answer
At voltages above 33000 V, the insulation of air breaks down, allowing electrons to pass through the air gap. If the air is very humid, electrons will flow at lower voltages, such as 11000 V.
Air breaks down to become a plasma at electrical field strengths of greater than 33 kilovolts per centimeter.
Using a 220V fan in the US
Topic: AC World Voltages
Question
September 26, 2015
Hello,
I am moving from Cambodia to United States after spending sometime here. I bought a wall fan that I really liked and it operates at 220V 50Hz. The house I will be living in the U.S has a 220v wall outlet, I wanted to know the following:
Since there is 220V outlet, the voltage on the fan will be okay. True/False
Does it matter if I am running a 50Hz fan on a 60Hz?
Will it harm the rest of the electricity in the house? Is it safe?
Is it more expensive / less efficient to run a 220v/50Hz device then 110v/60Hz Device?
If you can share your knowledge I would really appreciated it.
Thanks,
Sam
Sam - USA
26405
Answer
220V outlets in the house are usually used for stoves and electric clothes dryers. You may have to get a receptacle adapter. The 220V should be fine but at 60Hz, it may be running faster. I'm not sure if that would harm your fan. It would be good the check with the manufacturer.
It should not affect the rest of the house electricity.
Electrical cost is based on wattage, which is voltage times current. I think the power output (and cost) should be about the same for both devices.
Bringing in a freezer from Manila to Australia
Topic: AC World Voltages
Question
August 25, 2015
Bringing in a freezer from Manila to Australia. Manila uses 220v 60 Hz. Australia is 240v 50 Hz. Will this cause problems?
Thanks
Robin - Australia
26333
Answer
It probably won't matter. However, the motor may run at a slightly different speed. It is best the check with the manufacturer to verify this.
Using 50Hz devices on 60Hz
Topic: AC World Voltages
Question
August 7, 2015
Dear Madam/Sir:
I have a question regarding the matching of voltage and frequency.
If my equipment using 220V-50Hz connected to the electric circuit of 220V-60Hz, will it create the "electrical noise"?
Should I need to match both the voltage and the frequency?
Thank you.
Quoc
Quoc - Viet Nam
26260
Answer
If you 50Hz equipment has motors, they will slightly faster on 60Hz electricity. This is true with many clocks. However, most modern electronic equipment are usually not affected by the frequency difference.
I don't think you will be bothered by electrical noise.
Confusion about direction of electron motion
Topic: DC
Question
July 21, 2015
correct me if I got it wrong electrons moves from negative to positive terminal while the current moves from positive to negative direction which is a new convention in that time and you said this was well before the discoveries of electrons.
honestly it is very confusing why don't the new invention of electrons overwrite the old convention
- Tonga
26185
Answer
The official designation of the direction of electrical current is from positive (+) to negative (-). However, since electrons have a negative charge, they are really moving in the opposite direction, going toward the positive terminal.
This can be very confusing, and I agree that some other designation should be used. Unfortunately, since (+) and (-) have been used for such a long time, I don't think they will ever change it. Thus, you'll just have to remember that the electrons move in the opposite direction of the current.
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