you observe a small plaque on an electrical appliance that reads, in part, "115 volts AC 60 Hz." this means that the appliance
operates on 115 volts alternating current (AC) with a frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz).
To understand what this means for the appliance, let's break it down:
1. "115 volts AC": This indicates the voltage rating of the electrical supply required for the appliance to function properly. The appliance should be connected to an electrical outlet that supplies a voltage of 115 volts. AC refers to alternating current, which means the direction of electric current periodically reverses. Most appliances in the United States and parts of North America operate on a standard voltage of 115 volts AC.
2. "60 Hz": This represents the frequency of the alternating current supplied to the appliance. Frequency refers to the number of complete cycles per second. In this case, it is 60 cycles per second, or 60 Hz. In North America, the standard frequency for AC power is 60 Hz.
By providing this information, the manufacturer ensures that the appliance is compatible with the electrical system in the region where it is intended to be used. To operate the appliance correctly, you need to connect it to an electrical outlet that provides 115 volts AC and 60 Hz frequency.