Advantage/Disadvantage of 220V/50Hz and 110/60Hz?

[thanhvu94]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know about the advantages and disadvantages of these 2 voltage standard? There must be some technical reasons for some countries to choose to use this one but not that one? (E.g. UK use 230V when US use 110V).

And can a 110V machine function well if we simply change from 220V/50Hz to 110V/60Hz through a transformer?

This is probably a very tough questions and I still can't find any good explanations for this on the Internet. I don't believe that history can be a good answer for this one.

Thank you.

 

[telectrix]

how can you alter the frequency with a transformer?

 

[telectrix]

a higher voltage supply will reduce the current required for a given amount of power, so cables can be smaller csa.

 

[thanhvu94]

So why don't everyone use 220V for power supply? What is the advantages of 110V? (I don't think this is safer).

 

[malcolmsanford]

Even in the states 110v is usually reserverd for lighting and small power. Most larger pieces of equipment say AC units will be 2 phase 220volt there.

The idea in domestic scenarios is that 110volt is safer than 220volt..............

 

[Darkwood]

It all comes down to base infrastructure - when Electricity was first introduced, some countries went one way and others another way, in countries that have a large electrical infrastructure it would be impossible to convert to a universal voltage without effecting everything from the running of industries to houshold electrical goods.