3 ms·

My microwave adds a minute every week or so because the UK's frequency is slightly different to the the rest of the EU. The clock on the microwave I have is key

My microwave adds a minute every week or so because the UK's frequency is slightly different to the the rest of the EU. The clock on the microwave I have is keyed to the continental europe's frequency rather than the UK. It's actually moderately annoying. It was a fairly well reviewed (cheap) machine from Wilkinsons, a budget brand. Perils of cheap electronics. EDIT: Well sounds like it's not the case, TIL, not sure where I picked that up from.

neilwilson 9y ago
The frequency is exactly the same 50hz. The voltage is usually 240 volts rather than 230, but within the acceptable range (which can be as high as 256). Higher voltage is good. The kettle boils faster.
- Angostura 9y ago
  To see what the Grid's up to in roughly real time, I love this site. http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk After last week where demand was very heavy and frequency was below 50Hz, the frequency is currently the highest I have ever seen (50.107Hz) You can also see the French grid using the same site. This shows the European frequency at 50.024Hz, so perhaps corrective action is being taken. Edit - as you were, 5 minutes later UK frequency is 49.902Hz and European frequency is 49.993Hz
saagarjha 9y ago
> the UK's frequency is slightly different to the the rest of the EU It is? What does the UK use?
- beojan 9y ago
  It's not. His microwave must be faulty.
- carlmr 9y ago
  If we go by his numbers and assume the EU uses exactly 50Hz, then +1 minute over a week (7 * 24 * 60 min = 10,080 min) would mean that the frequency in the UK is roughly 10081/10080 * 50 ~ 50.005Hz. I'm not sure if that is the case.
oldcynic 9y ago
You sure that's the cause? The UK has legislation limiting amount of drift from 50Hz, and the Grid adjusts frequency multiple times a day, outside spikes, to ensure the cycle count is correct.

neilwilson 9y ago

The frequency is exactly the same 50hz. The voltage is usually 240 volts rather than 230, but within the acceptable range (which can be as high as 256). Higher voltage is good. The kettle boils faster.

Angostura 9y ago
To see what the Grid's up to in roughly real time, I love this site. http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk http://www.gridwatch.templar.co.uk After last week where demand was very heavy and frequency was below 50Hz, the frequency is currently the highest I have ever seen (50.107Hz) You can also see the French grid using the same site. This shows the European frequency at 50.024Hz, so perhaps corrective action is being taken. Edit - as you were, 5 minutes later UK frequency is 49.902Hz and European frequency is 49.993Hz

saagarjha 9y ago

> the UK's frequency is slightly different to the the rest of the EU It is? What does the UK use?

beojan 9y ago
It's not. His microwave must be faulty.
carlmr 9y ago
If we go by his numbers and assume the EU uses exactly 50Hz, then +1 minute over a week (7 * 24 * 60 min = 10,080 min) would mean that the frequency in the UK is roughly 10081/10080 * 50 ~ 50.005Hz. I'm not sure if that is the case.

oldcynic 9y ago

You sure that's the cause? The UK has legislation limiting amount of drift from 50Hz, and the Grid adjusts frequency multiple times a day, outside spikes, to ensure the cycle count is correct.