Electricity standards vary greatly around the world, both in terms of voltage and frequency. In the United States, for example, common mains grid voltages include 240VAC (split phase) and 208VAC or 480VAC (3-phase). In Europe, we mostly have 3-phase 400VAC 50Hz, but some countries like Norway even use 230VAC 3-phase IT (isolated) system. The aviation industry even operates at a unique frequency of 400Hz. Some trains in Europe runs on 16.5Hz.
This diversity in standards can make it tricky when setting up temporary and permanent installations, as equipment designed for one grid standard may not function properly (or at all) when connected to a different standard. This can be a significant issue in settings like construction sites, outdoor events, or mobile medical units, where equipment from various sources may need to be connected to the power grid.
Wouldn’t it be cool, if there was one magical box, that can convert anything into anything?
ADVANTICS power converters can be used in such a way - whether it’s adapting voltages, or converting between different frequency standards. But the source might not even be AC at all - we can also handle DC input. With the right combination of power converter, temporary installations can be set up more quickly, safely, and efficiently. It also becomes easy to test the immunity of tools and equipment to different grid conditions, like under or overvoltage, frequency changes, basically acting like a true grid emulator, capable not just generating said standards, but synchronizing to them as well.
Example applications:
- EU mains to US mains conversion (400VAC 50Hz in, 208VAC480VAC 60Hz out)
- DC input laboratory power supply, providing any AC voltage standard (2 AFE setup)