Electrical question

[TravelGal]

After having just read the 10 millionth brochure describing the need to pack transformers or appliances for 220 volts and 50 cycles, I finally began to wonder when and WHY did the US adopt the 110V / 60 cycle standard?

Are we the only major country to use 110?

Thanks in advance.

[dando]

After having just read the 10 millionth brochure describing the need to pack transformers or appliances for 220 volts and 50 cycles, I finally began to wonder when and WHY did the US adopt the 110V / 60 cycle standard?

Are we the only major country to use 110?

Thanks in advance.

Seek and you shall find. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_AC_power_plugs_and_sockets



There are two basic standards for voltage and frequency in the world. One is the North American standard of 110-120 volts at 60 Hz, which uses plugs A and B, and the other is the European standard of 220-240 volts at 50 Hz, which uses plugs C through M. The differences arose for historical reasons.

In the United States, Thomas Edison insisted on using 110 volts direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC) for his electric system in New York City. However, George Westinghouse, who built the first large hydro-electric plants at Niagara Falls, decided to use AC instead of DC because it could be stepped up or stepped down in voltage using transformers. The electrical genius Nicola Tesla advised him that 240 V at 60 Hz was optimum (According to some sources 60 Hz was chosen because it made for more convinent gearing ratios in AC electric clocks), but authorities would not let him use more than 110 V for distribution. Eventually Edison switched his 110 V DC system over to AC as well, and so 110 V at 60 Hz became the American electrical standard, despite the fact it required conductors twice as large to carry the same amount of power as 240 V.

-Kevin

[eiregosod]

"Eventually Edison switched his 110 V DC system over to AC as well, and so 110 V at 60 Hz became the American electrical standard, despite the fact it required conductors twice as large to carry the same amount of power as 240 V."

that's why the voltage is stepped up for power transmission.

[WickerBill]

Japan uses 110v.

[eiregosod]

Japan uses 110v.

I thought they used both 110 & 220?

[nrc]

I thought they used both 110 & 220?

Yeah. 220... 221, whatever it takes.

[dando]

Yeah. 220... 221, whatever it takes.

:D

How did I miss that line? :\

-Kevin

[tllips]

I thought they used both 110 & 220?

If I remember correctly, Japan uses 110V at 50 Hz. :saywhat:

[nz_climber]

to make things even more complicated NATO standard for aircraft is 115V at 400Hz :saywhat:

[velocity boy]

Unless things have changed since the three years I spent in Japan in the 80s, the current there is 100V at 50Hz in eastern Japan and 100V at 60Hz in western Japan.

[velocity boy]

While I'm actually logged in and everything, I was just wondering, if I maintain my average of one post/year how many more years will it take until I am no longer a rookie?

[eiregosod]

to make things even more complicated NATO standard for aircraft is 115V at 400Hz :saywhat:

maybe the power supply hum becomes an issue for flight instrumentation.

RFID tags use waves at several hundred megahertz to generate their power.

[TravelGal]

Thanks guys. I check back every few hours and read the new replies with interest. The only thing I know about electricity is don't stick my finger in the socket, i.e, keep away from it.

[eiregosod]

Thanks guys. I check back every few hours and read the new replies with interest. The only thing I know about electricity is don't stick my finger in the socket, i.e, keep away from it.

electricity is your friend :)

[oddlycalm]

Unless things have changed since the three years I spent in Japan in the 80s, the current there is 100V at 50Hz in eastern Japan and 100V at 60Hz in western Japan. Still that way as far as I know. It's not for nothing that we put power supplies in our instruments that handle input from 95-275VAC and 50-60 cycles.

BTW, in parts of Western China the grid is so poorly regulated so when evening comes and most businesses and factories shut down the voltage jumps up a good 30V higher. :gomer:

oc

[ChampcarShark]

All I know is that 110v gives you a tangling sensation in your fingers, and 220v throws you a good 2 feet off the ground when you touch the cables when wet... :gomer: