What effect will 50 cycle voltage have on a transformer rated for 60 cycles of like voltage?
The effect will be higher no-load losses or iron losses, which in turn will tend to raise the temperature of the transformer. Many small types of transformers are rated for 50/60 cycles. This can be done quite successfully, as the amount of heat can be dissipated from small transformers without too much difficulty. Generally speaking, larger sizes of transformers that are designed in any size to operate satisfactorily on both 50 cycles and 60 cycles supplied with like voltages by simply designing the iron core to accept the higher no-load losses of 50 cycle current. Fifty cycle transformers will operate very satisfactorily on a 60 cycle supply with a like voltage. A 50/60 cycle transformer will cost between 5% and 10% more than the corresponding 60 cycle transformer.
