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Joined: Nov 2002
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If there is something horribly wrong or dangerous with the 100A system, or is under capacity for the needs of the house, then by all means replace it, otherwise leave it. Our house is served nicely with a 100A service.
(probably 1500 Sq ft, Electric WH, dryer, range, wood heat, plus the barn which only has one lighting circuit, and a couple outlet circuits)
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Here are a couple of entries which caught my eye. The guy answering this first question is rather misinformed: Why does the US run at 110 volts when most of world runs at 220+ volts?
In terms of power production - all power is the same. It is then transmitted over High Voltage cables - usually above 10K Volts.
The power is then stepped down before it reaches our homes.
U.S, Japanese and some other countries receive 110V in the form of 2 wires - 1 Live and 1 Neutral
(2 phase system)
Other countries receive 2 live and in some cases 2 live in addition to 1 neutral to create this 220-240V.
Historically many countries originally used the 110V or 2 phase system.
Some may argue that the US is behind or has just managed to stay afloat with this old system longer.
The only advantage to receveing 110V is less injury to the nervous system in case of electric shock.
The downside is due to more current to compensate for the power you are more likely to get more burn (Yes skin burning) due to the 110V.
The disadvantage of 110V as compared to 220V is more losses due to resistence. Higher current needed to compensate for lower voltage creates more heat and therefore more resistence in the system and thus the need for more power. Here's a reasonable enough homeowner question I suppose, but you might have a hard time even understanding the reply! I have an old house with mostly 2-prong (ungrounded?) outlets. I have computer equipment, including a UPS, that requires 3-prong, grounded outlets.
Should I just use adapters, or should I call an electrician and get new outlets?
The electricity in the home comes in on a 200-amp circuit breaker.
Older home half updated wire other half older wire it was gone through by eletric guy old wire in armored flex tube metal updated 200amp box eveything upgraded butt ? no ground in two wire small current going through when you touch wire and box not when you touch it free standing the box if you need to connect ground you cant small low current bleeding in box and tube what to do all old wire protect with armored metal flex tube thank you have a blessed day kevin Huh??? ![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/confused.gif) [This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 09-20-2004).]
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33
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Just goes to show that a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 66
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________________________________
Question by John asked on May 10, 2004, at 5:18 pm.
Why was 120 volts choosen as the standard voltage of homes in the US? i.e. why not some other arbitrary voltage?
Answer by Andy contributed on June 10, 2004, at 9:11pm. Last updated on June 11, 2004, at 10:43pm.
Why not us 120?? We could use 220 or so like the Europeans only there's is 50, their TV and computes suck. 240 volts is too much in your house for simple stuff, you would get a worse beating/shock if you were working on stuff on your own. There are a whole ton of complicated other reasons having to do with transformers and transmission lines and the math involved. I recommend a book from Barnes and Nobles and a Hazelnut latte !!
Andy
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ahh, the European computers and TVs suck because their current is 50. (im guessing he means Hertz) so i guess our computers and TVs are better because our current is 60 Hz.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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OK, I'll admit it. I read down through the questions and I was too afraid to actually read the answers. Pretty much the short answer to all of them is, "Call an electrician before you kill yourself."
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Joined: Aug 2001
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ahh, the European computers and TVs suck because their current is 50. (im guessing he means Hertz) so i guess our computers and TVs are better because our current is 60 Hz. I saw that one too. The computer I'm using at this moment is running on 240V 50Hz power, and strangely enough it seems to work just as well as a computer on 120V 60Hz in the States. Ah well, there goes his theory. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/smile.gif)
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443 Likes: 3
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240 volts is too much in your house for simple stuff, you would get a worse beating/shock if you were working on stuff on your own. Hmm, I've never read that in any Safety literature before!. ![[Linked Image]](https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/biggrin.gif)
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Posts: 7,381
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