Gents and Other Electrical Wizards,
Before I go look the answer up, I thought I'd ask the wired minds here first.
What, if any, are the consequences of running a Faller accessory motor rated for 50hz from a source that produces 60hz?
Does it make a diff as long as the voltage and amperage requirements are met?
Thanks!
Craig
PS No car rental jokes please.
DMW
Small AC motors are of 2 types - 1) "series" or "universal", and 2) synchronous
#1 can operate on AC or DC, frequency doesn't really matter. A universal motor is actually most efficient on DC. Spped of motor is controlled by voltage applied. Lionel and American Flyer used universal motors for years in their locomotives.
#2 is a strictly AC motor. Frequency determines speed of motor. So a 50Hz synchronous motor will operate 20% higher RPMs with 60Hz applied. This may or may not be a problem, depending on installation and motor itself. Synchronous motors are typically used in clocks, phonograph turntables, and other devices where locking the motor speed to house electricity frequency is desirable.
The other possibility is that the motor is a DC permanent magnet type - type we are used to - with a rectifier in front of it to convert AC to DC. This is the typical arrangement on newer 3 rail locomotives - fairly husky can motor(s) with a rectifier in front to convert AC to DC. A permanent magnet motor simply substitutes a permanent magnet for the wound field of a series motor, thereby limiting itself to DC. With a permanent magnet for the field, the field cannot reverse polarity in conjunction with the armature as a series motor can.
Chances are very good the accessory has either a universal motor, or can motor with rectifier, in which case voltage determines speed and frequency doesn't matter. OTOH, it's possible that a motor to power a ferris wheel or a turntable might be synchronous, but I don't think 60Hz is going to cause any harm in such a situation (device just turns 20% faster).
hope this helps and makes sense
Fred W
It does.