AC frequency and power of an electrical appliance

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the impact of AC frequency on the power output of electrical appliances, specifically a 2000-watt heater operating at 50 Hz. It is clarified that small changes in mains frequency do not significantly affect the power dissipated in resistive heating elements, as power is calculated using the formula W = I * V, where voltage and current remain constant. However, frequency changes can influence appliances with motors or programmable timers, potentially increasing their average power consumption. The concept of RMS (root mean square) voltage and current is introduced, emphasizing that these values do not change with frequency, thus maintaining average power levels. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of understanding how frequency affects different types of electrical loads.
Alexandar
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
So the frequency in the power grid is 50 - 60 Hz depending on country's electrical standard.
If I have a ~2000 watt heater that runs on 220 volts ~ 9 amps at 50 Hz, would increasing or decreasing the frequency effect the power output of the device. For example if I make the device run at 75 Hz without changing voltage or current would the output power of the device be increased. I haven't learned any mathematical expressions involving frequency when calculating power (W = I * V). If anyone could provide such it will be helpful.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Small changes to the mains frequency won't significantly change the power dissipated in something like a resistive heating element. They might change the power consumed by appliances that use certain types of motor. Some types of programmable time clock rely on the mains frequency so appliances fitted with those may run fast and operate more frequently meaning a greater average power consumption.

Are you asking just for curiosity or do you have an application?
 
CWatters said:
Small changes to the mains frequency won't significantly change the power dissipated in something like a resistive heating element. They might change the power consumed by appliances that use certain types of motor. Some types of programmable time clock rely on the mains frequency so appliances fitted with those may run fast and operate more frequently meaning a greater average power consumption.

Are you asking just for curiosity or do you have an application?

I was thinking that by increasing the frequency without changing other values like volts and current could lead to more heat production without change in power consumption. Maybe I am wrong to assume this but it seems to make sense.

AC > Frequency Converter > Device. Please explain if I am wrong why and how does it actually work.
 
If it worked as you think it would mean that more power was coming out of the frequency converter than was going in. That would violate conservation of energy.

For DC you are probably familiar with the equation..

Power = Volts * Amps

In the case of AC the instantaneous power is also given by that equation but you are normally interested in the average power. In the case of AC the voltage and current changes with time. You could sample both and multiply all the samples together to calculate the instantaneous power, then calculate the average power from that. However there is a way to "cheat" and multiply the "average" voltage by the "average" current to get the average power.

I put average in quotes because it's actually the rms voltage and current you use. If you aren't familiar with rms see...
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-physics/explaining-rms-voltage-and-current

The rms voltage or current doesn't change if the frequency changes so the average power doesn't change either.

In the case of resistive loads that's about all there is to say. However if the loads are inductive or capacitive then things can get more complicated but perhaps leave that until you are really happy with the above.
 
Hey guys. I have a question related to electricity and alternating current. Say an alien fictional society developed electricity, and settled on a standard like 73V AC current at 46 Hz. How would appliances be designed, and what impact would the lower frequency and voltage have on transformers, wiring, TVs, computers, LEDs, motors, and heating, assuming the laws of physics and technology are the same as on Earth?
While I was rolling out a shielded cable, a though came to my mind - what happens to the current flow in the cable if there came a short between the wire and the shield in both ends of the cable? For simplicity, lets assume a 1-wire copper wire wrapped in an aluminum shield. The wire and the shield has the same cross section area. There are insulating material between them, and in both ends there is a short between them. My first thought, the total resistance of the cable would be reduced...
I used to be an HVAC technician. One time I had a service call in which there was no power to the thermostat. The thermostat did not have power because the fuse in the air handler was blown. The fuse in the air handler was blown because there was a low voltage short. The rubber coating on one of the thermostat wires was chewed off by a rodent. The exposed metal in the thermostat wire was touching the metal cabinet of the air handler. This was a low voltage short. This low voltage...
Back
Top