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. Arc light came before incandescent light. It was too bright and dangerous to use indoors, but it was used for a while in some cities outdoors.
A standard arc light operated at 50 or 55 volts. But that voltage was too low to be efficient. Usually two arc lamps were used in series, meaning a voltage of or volts. So or volts became a norm even before the light bulb showed up. The AC cycle rate varied a lot in the early days of AC power, varying from 40 to hertz, before 50Hz and 60Hz became the standards used today. But why are there still two different main voltage standards V and V in the world?
Read on. The US, which started with volt power, actually considered switching to more-efficient volt household power in the s. Europe had developed its volt now volt system after learning from the American experience, and before any massive infrastructure changes would be required. But some parts of Europe were originally volts also. One can easily imagine that a simple TV would require a water flow much smaller than a dryer.
Therefore logically we should rely on a small water hose for the TV and one large hose for the dryer. Generally in your home, you will need to connect your heating products to V. Finally, it is good to know that the various circuit breakers contained in the electrical distribution panel are not intended to protect the various devices that are used regularly but to protect the wiring that goes through the house.
A amp circuit breaker on a amp circuit can overheat the wires or even set fire to a partition. This was a luxury seen only in mansions, high-end hotels and businesses. Then finally in , the Electro-Technical Exposition in Frankfurt Germany marked the end of the DC era of power when three-phase current was born. Originally V power was established. However, after World War II, Europe made the change to V power to improve power transmission efficiency and to adjust for available materials.
The US would have likely made this change as well, however, this would have proven too costly. 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.
0コメント