Foreign Voltages and Frequencies Guide

Foreign countries around the world use different electrical standards for voltage and frequency than those of the United States. Electrical equipment designed for 60 Hertz may or may not operate properly in a 50 Hertz environment. Similarly, electrical equipment designed for 50 Hertz may or may not operate properly in a 60 Hertz environment. Because of these different electrical standards, research was conducted to identify the voltage and frequency standards of various foreign countries, as well as to provide guidance on the operation of various classes of equipment in different voltage and frequency environments. This study identifies the various low and medium voltage levels, along with the system frequencies, used by countries around the world. This study also identifies the classes of equipment that are sensitive to voltage and frequency, providing guidance for their operation in different environments. Finally, a listing of U.S. manufacturers of 50 Hertz electrical equipment is provided for reference purposes.