Why different country have different voltages and frequencies?
Why different country has different voltages and frequencies?
110 volt AC or 220 volt AC voltages are used. Most countries use 50Hz as the AC frequency. Only a handful use 60Hz. The standard in the United States is 120V and 60Hz AC electricity.
Europe [ 50Hz and 230V ]
The German company AEG started generating electricity and became a virtual monopoly in Europe. They decided to use 50Hz instead of 60Hz to better fit their metric standards. But they stayed with 120V. Until the 1950s, After World War II Europe stayed at 120V AC. They then switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission.
U.S. stays [ 120V, 60Hz ]
The United States also considered converting to 220V for home use but felt it would be too costly, due to all the 120V electrical appliances people had. A compromise was made in the U.S. in that 240V would come into the house where it would be split to 120V to power most appliances. Certain household appliances such as the electric stove and electric clothes dryer would be powered at 240V.
For various reasons, Brazil and Japan have multiple standards.
Brazil
In Brazil, most states use between 110V and 127V AC electricity. But many hotels use 220V. In the capital Brasilia and in the northeast of the country, they mainly use 220-240V. All operate at 60 Hz.
Japan
In Japan, they use the same voltage everywhere, but the frequency differs from region to region.
Eastern Japan, which includes Tokyo, uses 50Hz. In 1895, Japan purchased 50 Hz electrical generators for Tokyo from the German company AEG. This was the same as what was done in Europe. In 1896, the American company General Electric provided 60Hz generators to cities in western Japan, which includes Osaka and Kyoto.
It is unfortunate that they did not coordinate their efforts. Having different voltages and frequencies within the country not only must be confusing for the people but also can result in extra costs for appliances and adapters.
Both 50Hz and 60Hz have their advantages and disadvantages.
60Hz
With 60Hz, the transformers can be smaller and less expensive than for a 50Hz transformer. Although the difference is small, it can add up in a system with many transformers. Using 60Hz results in less flicker on lamps, but that really is not a factor these days.Hum and frequency noise are more readily audible with 60Hz and its harmonics than with 50Hz.
50Hz
With 50Hz, electric power transmission over long lines favors it over 60Hz. The effects of the distributed capacitance and inductance of the line are also less at the lower frequency.Although 50Hz transformers require more copper and iron, 60Hz transformers require more expensive plates to prevent eddy current losses.
