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Join Date: Feb 2007
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Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/05/2007 4:30 PM

I'm considering purchasing a 220V treadmill, but live in the United States where I will have to use a transformer to convert the 110V to something the treadmill can handle. Do I have to worry about phase distribution differences between my power going in and my appliance, or will the transformer do that? How would that work?

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Power-User

Join Date: Jan 2007
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#1

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/05/2007 9:00 PM

Inquire whether the appliance has a 50hz to 60hz switch. This is your primary problem. I have a hunch that this is probably a 220V-1PH-50hz treadmill. Some equipment made or purchased in the U.K. has a hertz switch.

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Guru
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#2

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/05/2007 9:55 PM

you can use 110:220 transformer enough without consider of any phase problem. most of transformer can work at 50/60hz. you can also ask manufacture to config a 110v and order one with 110 supply tey will do it easily.

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#3

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/05/2007 10:04 PM

All my professors in school say that the 50Hz and 60Hz difference is not that much of a concern. Experience has taught me that this is generally true. There was only one device I encountered that gave problems when using it on a different frequency and that was a digital clock that used the line frequency as the timing source. I overlooked that part when I bought it years ago.

This is not to say that it will be fine for your treadmill. The frequency difference (if it's a motorized treadmill) will mean that the motor will run a tad slower.

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Power-User

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#4

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/05/2007 10:23 PM

Most likely your house has a 240V/120V electric service. You will need to set this up with it's own plug recepticle that is 240V-1PH-60HZ and a 15A 2-pole circuit breaker. This will be the same way your clothes dryer is wired except for the plug. The plug for the treadmill will look conventional. I would put a label on the new recepticle indicating 240V. Take a voltage reading and see what your actual voltage is. It could be closer to 230V.

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#5
In reply to #4

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/06/2007 10:48 AM

If it has a DC motor, and takes the AC and makes DC and regulates it and controls things, then a 120 to 240 transformer good for that load is fine and it will work the same as on 240 Volts.

If it has an AC motor, then it will run at 6/5 speed. If it is continuously variable speed this will not be a problem.

If it varies in steps, these steps may be a little bigger. It all depends on whether or not it has active speed control or just uses gear ratios

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Anonymous Poster
#6

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/06/2007 12:46 PM

Uh, you live in the US. Get used to it. Buy products designed to work here. When you go home, sell them or give them away and buy products designed to work there. Better yet, join a gym here and use their commercial grade equipment which you will find far superior to the home use equipment.

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Anonymous Poster
#7

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/06/2007 12:55 PM

The issue with transformers is not limited to Turns Ratio (Step Up or Step Down Voltage), but Frequency is a factor. The Inductive Reactance of the transformer is directly related to frequency (XL=2xPHIxFreqxInd), thus the reactance of a 50Hz transformer operating at 60Hz would be greater, resulting in a lower idling current - Not a bad thing when compared to the other way around where the current would be greater, possibly resulting in overheating and damage

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#8

Re: Converting 110V for 220V Appliance and Phase Distribution

02/08/2007 5:26 AM

99% of the time, you won't notice the difference, especially if it has a universal motor provided the voltage is stepped down correctly.

Most single phase motors will run as someone else mentioned, a tad slower! On a treadmill, I doubt if you will notice.

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