Eli5: What does the frequency (Hz) have to do with electrical output? If the world has 50/60 Hz frequency for their outlets, what exactly does that mean/do? Is it as simple as if it goes below/exceeds the specified frequency it just gives/reduces power output or something different?
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In most modern electronic equipment, the frequency isn’t important, as the alternating current is converted (rectified) to direct current, then converted to a high arbitrary frequency before being processed into the different voltages the device needs. (This is known as a switching power supply.) The application where frequency is most important is electric motors. A motor has a certain number of ‘poles’ which rotate it at a given speed for the design frequency. So a 60Hz motor will rotate slower if supplied with 50Hz. And as the frequency is different than what it was designed for, you could have overheating and other issues.
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