3 ms·

This is one nice thing about electric in the US - household voltage is mostly 110v, with special outlets for the occasional exception that requires 220v. And ev

This is one nice thing about electric in the US - household voltage is mostly 110v, with special outlets for the occasional exception that requires 220v. And even in those cases, it's not 220v on one wire, it's just two wires of 110v. I've been shocked by 110v countless times (well, maybe a dozen or so), and it's just an momentary shock (in both senses) and nothing more. Not recommended! Be careful! Circumstances (water) can make it fatal! But still I've been fine. Australia and lots of other countries use ~240v as normal household voltage. I've never been shocked by 240v, but from your description I'm really glad about that. Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v?

MichaelCollins 4y ago
110V AC can be enough to contract your muscles involuntarily, so if you get unlucky you may find yourself unable to let go. It's definitely safer, but still not safe. > Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v? Not really, except that most appliances will only use 110v instead of 220v, because most power outlets are 110v with a few special 220v outlets set up specifically for heavier appliances. Usually 110v is perfectly adequate anyway, but electric kettles in America are slower.
yetihehe 4y ago
Depends on person. I've accidentally touched 220V several times and only felt a little stinging. One time I was kneeling on wet grass. But - please don't try it yourself, I'm just very lucky and probably a bad conductor, you might be not. > Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v? You need thicker wires and higher current to carry the same power. In Europe electric kettles are much more common because they can use up to 2kW in most households without any problems.
jakogut 4y ago
> even in those cases, it's not 220v on one wire, it's just two wires of 110v. This is not really correct. Voltage is potential difference, so the voltage of a single conductor as measured from a single point is always zero, as there's no difference. Similar to how a boulder on top of a hill on Earth has potential energy from gravity, because there's a difference in height, and a force acting on that mass. That same boulder with no hill or gravity has no potential energy. In America, residential panels are generally wired with three current carrying conductors (hot, hot, neutral), and a ground. Each hot is one leg of a 240V transformer, and the neutral is a center tap, which has 120V of potential difference (voltage) between both hots. In 120V circuits, one hot is combined with the neutral for 120V of potential. Other circuits and outlets can combine two hots for 240V of potential, or two hots and a neutral for both 240V and 120V capability, such as might be used by your dryer, with large motors and heaters driven by the higher voltage, and control circuitry being powered by the lower voltage. > Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v? Because the current required for the same amount of power at a lower voltage is higher (Ohm's law), thicker wire is required to carry that current, and more heat is generated. Source: DIYer who's wired my own garage, including a 100A subpanel and various circuits, which was all permitted and passed inspection.
jffry 4y ago
110v delivers less power at the same amperage, and higher amperage drives a need for a thicker conductor.
brnt 4y ago
As a kid (in Europe), I've shocked myself a few times with 230V. Breakers didn't save me, but what did I don't know either. One time I rember pulling a cable (and forgetting I had plugged to other end in) and being amazed at the strong buzzing when I tried to grab it (which I did repeatedly).

MichaelCollins 4y ago

110V AC can be enough to contract your muscles involuntarily, so if you get unlucky you may find yourself unable to let go. It's definitely safer, but still not safe. > Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v? Not really, except that most appliances will only use 110v instead of 220v, because most power outlets are 110v with a few special 220v outlets set up specifically for heavier appliances. Usually 110v is perfectly adequate anyway, but electric kettles in America are slower.

yetihehe 4y ago

Depends on person. I've accidentally touched 220V several times and only felt a little stinging. One time I was kneeling on wet grass. But - please don't try it yourself, I'm just very lucky and probably a bad conductor, you might be not. > Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v? You need thicker wires and higher current to carry the same power. In Europe electric kettles are much more common because they can use up to 2kW in most households without any problems.

jakogut 4y ago

> even in those cases, it's not 220v on one wire, it's just two wires of 110v. This is not really correct. Voltage is potential difference, so the voltage of a single conductor as measured from a single point is always zero, as there's no difference. Similar to how a boulder on top of a hill on Earth has potential energy from gravity, because there's a difference in height, and a force acting on that mass. That same boulder with no hill or gravity has no potential energy. In America, residential panels are generally wired with three current carrying conductors (hot, hot, neutral), and a ground. Each hot is one leg of a 240V transformer, and the neutral is a center tap, which has 120V of potential difference (voltage) between both hots. In 120V circuits, one hot is combined with the neutral for 120V of potential. Other circuits and outlets can combine two hots for 240V of potential, or two hots and a neutral for both 240V and 120V capability, such as might be used by your dryer, with large motors and heaters driven by the higher voltage, and control circuitry being powered by the lower voltage. > Are there any downsides for using 110v instead of 220v? Because the current required for the same amount of power at a lower voltage is higher (Ohm's law), thicker wire is required to carry that current, and more heat is generated. Source: DIYer who's wired my own garage, including a 100A subpanel and various circuits, which was all permitted and passed inspection.

jffry 4y ago

110v delivers less power at the same amperage, and higher amperage drives a need for a thicker conductor.

brnt 4y ago

As a kid (in Europe), I've shocked myself a few times with 230V. Breakers didn't save me, but what did I don't know either. One time I rember pulling a cable (and forgetting I had plugged to other end in) and being amazed at the strong buzzing when I tried to grab it (which I did repeatedly).