Why 220 v

And half the country is 50Hz, the other 60Hz, apparently the result of German versus US equipment back in the s.

The United States power grid is much less well integrated, but all over North America the voltage is a nominal volts. Actual voltage at the wall outlet or light switch in any system can vary by plus or minus 5 to 10 percent. By far most of the world uses volts. Of course, all over the world power poles or underground lines transmit power at much higher voltages. This color-coded map showing various electrical plug types used around the world.

The electric power coming into a North American home or business is actually volts, which is then split into two volt lines normally a split-phase three-wire system.

The volt outlets are for lighting, small appliances, and other devices TV set, computer, toaster, etc. The oven, cooking range, air conditioner, electric water heater, EV charger, and other high-power devices use the full volts, using special grounded plugs and outlets that are larger than the volt type.

In Europe the normal power outlets are volts and the high-power appliances are fed volts formerly volts. But Why? But why, you ask, is there a volt standard in North America and a volt one in Europe? The exact reasons are not certain, but there are a few good candidates.

The first answer, and the one most people cite, is Thomas Edison. Although he was not the first person to invent the light bulb, Edison is remembered as the inventor because he did not just invent the incandescent light bulb, he invented a superior one. And he also invented an entire system to make his light bulb work.

It was just part of a power package: generator, main feeder, distribution lines, house wiring, and the light bulbs. And what voltage worked best with his light bulb? Answer two may or may not be true, but some people promote it. Or maybe the two answers actually go together. December 12, Electrical by Speedy Electric. When comparing v with v wiring, you have to keep in mind that they both essentially do the same thing.

That is, they produce power to operate electrical outlets. When v wiring is used, less current is required than with v wiring. Power is measured in watts. Thus, to achieve watts of power, 4.

While both high amperage and voltage can mean danger in the event of an electric shock, the amount of amperage required for a fatal shock can be as little as 80mA. Thus, higher current can be more dangerous than higher voltage; however, since voltage and amperage are directly proportional in conditions that offer the same resistance , v wiring is usually considered safer to work with because it uses fewer volts and as such can only carry half as much current as v wiring.

Homes in the United States are wired for both v and v use. Regular power outlets found throughout a home are wired to v while only a few outlets are wired to v. They both are grounded; thus, they have safety features built into them. However, you should still use caution especially when you wire v. Such was the confidence of Eddison that he set it at volts. Disadvantage: it takes longer to boil water in one's travel kettle.

Peter May, St Albans, Herts p. Ian McKay, University of Glasgow, ian. The power loss in the supply cables will quadruple with a doubling of the current. This is why power is transmitted about the land at 33, volts, to reduce the current in the wires and hence the power lost before it can reach the consumer.

Mike Bond, Luton m. As a result, the voltage level also reverses along with the current. Below you will find a map of the planet showing each location's corresponding standard Voltage and Hertz. Historically speaking, one of the main reasons why the US retained V as its standard power supply was due to the power grid already being largely established, making it too costly to switch over.

The main benefits of V power are quite limited. This allows for a more efficient transfer of power. Power is equal to voltage times current.