Hutch,
I spent some time working out in the U.S. as well. I'm in England at the moment, but still working on becoming an ex-pat again as it's just getting so expensive to live here now.
I know what you mean about comparing the various systems in different countries. There are many aspects of American wiring that I prefer over British, such as the use of decent depth boxes for switches and receptacles. Compare them with the typical 1-inch boxes for twin sockets here where there are sometimes three 2.5 sq. mm twin & earth cables jammed in.
About the only aspect of typical American domestic wiring that bothers me is the use of a combined neutral/ground wire for dryers and ranges, but that has been amended in the NEC to require new installations to be 4-wire, so at least that peculiarity should gradually disappear.
My background is as an electronics engineer rather than starting as an electrical apprentice, so maybe I see some aspects of wiring in a different way to those who have been trained (indoctrinated?) in the IEE school of thought.
As you'll see from the many discussions we've had here, for example, I'm not a fan of the British ring circuit, even though most electricians here express surprise that other countries are "backward" in not using it. I also try to get beyond the IEE's recommended/approved circuit arrangements and point out that there are other arrangements which might be equally suitable, if not preferable in certain circumstances.
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 05-30-2002).]
