Frequency Converters: What Are They and Who Uses Them?
If you’ve ever gone on vacation to Europe or Asia, no doubt you’ve realized you needed to pack an adaptor so you could use your phone charger or hair straightener while overseas. The reason for that is because many other countries operate on a different electrical frequency than we use here in America. But what are frequency converters, and who uses them the most in various industries?
What Is Frequency Conversion?
Frequency conversion takes in the AC power from one region and safely converts it into another. This process ensures that valuable electronics and other devices don’t burn out by operating at a level they can’t handle. For example, for industrial scenarios, the United States operates at 60hz in most areas, while the majority of Europe uses 50hz. Frequency conversion allows us to manage devices on another electronic frequency safely.
Benefits of Frequency Conversion
When wondering what frequency converters are and who uses them, they’re an invaluable tool for many industries around the globe. Apart from being able to use equipment from other territories without causing burnout, frequency converters come with several other distinct benefits. Frequency conversion helps keep things running efficiently by letting a device’s motor operate at specific speeds. This alteration in the motor speed causes less stress on a machine and reduces potential maintenance costs for expensive equipment. Most people may not notice a difference in their day-to-day equipment when using a converter in another territory, but it’s an invaluable process when using more advanced equipment.
What Industries Utilize Frequency Conversion?
Nearly every industry that operates on some form of international scale relies on frequency conversion. The aerospace industry is one of the largest and most significant industries that depend on this conversion. While many regions around the world use 50hz or 60hz, airlines use a worldwide standard of 400hz that allows them to operate globally without any complications. The high frequency puts less strain on heavy aircrafts, enabling them to run more efficiently. Similar industries, such as the military or nautical vessels, use a similar frequency.
