Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Oct 24, 2003 07:00am | #1

   check the Hertz rating of the motors in question.   In the US motors run on 60htz whereas i think in Europe they run 50htz.  I have no idea about Japan.  Consult with the power company and find out what specs they have, and tell the company youre buying from the specs and see if the motor will work.

2. 
   rslatm | Oct 24, 2003 02:58pm | #2

   This is clearly a question for the company you are buying it from as a warranty issue and talk to local  electricians in your country.  Posting on a woodworking forum based on the other side of the world is the last place I'd post.  Besides an electrical question on a woodworking forum just because it's a woodworking tool doesn't make any sense to me. My first choice would be my local motor shop and second would be an electrical forum. 
3. 
   TKanzler | Oct 24, 2003 04:56pm | #3

   Well, that's an interesting problem.  I believe Autralia is 50Hz, as is eastern Japan, though western Japan is 60Hz.  Since the mortiser is 50Hz (assumed, since it's from Australia), it would be compatible with eastern Japan if you use a buck-boost transformer to bring the supply up to 230V, which is relatively inexpensive for such a small motor.  If you're in western Japan, then the motor is technically not compatible.  Single-phase motors, as the conventional motor industry wisdom goes, are not operable at other than the design frequency.  It may work, but no motor manufacturer will green light it.

   Three-phase motors can be operated at different frequencies if the voltage to frequency ratio is maintained.  A 230V 60Hz motor has a V/Hz ratio of 3.83, and so would be compatible at 192V 50Hz (giving the same torque, but 5/6 the hp and shaft speed).  A small overvoltage is usually not a problem (4% here). 

   But you're talking about single-phase, so if the frequency is the same, a simple transformer would work (has to be able to handle intermittent start-up current).  If the frequency doesn't match, a new motor would make sense, especially if it's a standard frame motor (as opposed to some special-frame, built-in beast).  In fact, since the motor is so small, a new motor may be the cheapest way to make it work.  As suggested before, talk to the manufacturer and a local motor shop.  With both frequencies in use in the same country, the locals must be pretty knowledgeable in this area.

   Be seeing you...

4. 
   watkinsjd | Oct 25, 2003 08:34pm | #4

   Rev,

   I agree totally with Rick.  A woodworkers forum is not the place to get advice on electrical applications.  I have seen some truly idiotic responses from people who didn't know enough to know how much they didn't know.  There may be some truth in some of them but you may not be able to sort out the good from the bad and ugly. I usually follow the electrical threads strictly for the amusment factor.

   John

1. 
   theRev | Oct 26, 2003 07:26am | #5

   Thanks, everyone, I think. Not sure if I received help or a scolding. I'll see what I can dig up elsewhere.

   ttfn

   scott

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Oct 26, 2003 10:32am | #6

   For what it's worth, two points:

   (1) Motor is 240V, 50Hz.

   (2)  Agree with Rick and Dr Watson - Over here it is illegal to touch anything electrical above 12V DC without holding an electrician's licence.  I remain amazed at what others are able to attempt legally and hopefully not kill themselves in the process - look at the advice given in the 110V to 220V threads for examples.  As the 'leccos used to say when I was in industry, "at least you can see molten metal, you don't know you're touching electricity until it's too late"

   I pay an electrician to do this sort of thing for me.

   Cheers,

   eddie

1. 
   theRev | Oct 26, 2003 03:25pm | #7

   Thanks Eddie. I'll check in with my local electrician tomorrow and see what he thinks.

   Scott

2. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Oct 27, 2003 01:03pm | #9

   Scott,

   Something that came to mind while I was at work, if you're getting this thing built new, the supplier may be able to fit a motor to suit your requirements.

   All problems immediately solved.

   Cheers (again),

   eddie

   Edited 10/27/2003 6:03:52 AM ET by eddie (aust)

5. 
   Len | Oct 27, 2003 07:41am | #8

   Scott,

   I lived in Tokyo and the the hertz effects the motor more than the voltage. Motors run at 5/6 the speed if they were meant for 60hz. You can buy transformers in Tokyo in an area called Akihabara. I have never seen a any device there that would change 50hz to 60 hz.

   I also ran U.S. tools there and had no problems but they were mostly hand power tools. I bought Japanese versions of the bench tools I needed. Although a number of my friends ran U.S. stationary power tools without any problems.

   There are regions of Japan, that do provide 60 hz. I believe they are in the north. I couldn't tell you exactly where.

   You should really check with a local electrician and ask his opinion on the horizontal mortiser.

   Len