Wouldn't it be easier all round if everyone in the world used the same voltage so we didn't need step up/down transformers etc?
2006-06-15 15:28:49 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
It is even kinda funnier then the other two answers. We went from 110 to 120 (as 220 became 240 when 440 went to 480)!!!
The bigger problem is not the VOLTAGE as you can see, they are all just halved. The real problem from here to most European countries is the FREQUENCY. We use 60 Hz current in the US, they use 50 Hz. So you need adapters to use a US 120VAC 60Hz product on a 220 VAC 50 Hz circuit.
Why? Why are they on the metric scale while we use a weird mix. They are pretty well standard. We have SAE, IEEE, miles,feet,inches etc. They just move the decimal point.
2006-06-15 15:50:05 · answer #1 · answered by Dusty 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The 110-115VAC is used in some places (USA) because it is safer, but the 240VAC can do the same work with much smaller wire so it is much cheaper to use. Different countries have developed different standards, and it would be very expensive for any of them to change over to a different system at this point.
Transformers are here to stay anyway because there will always be need for different levels of voltage for different applications. Distribution systems use high voltage and transformers to drop it down to a usable level. Otherwise the wire diameters would have to be measured in feet rather than circular mills.
2006-06-15 22:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by Automation Wizard 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I'm sure there is a historical reason. Next question, who's going to change? Probably people on the 100-127V systems, since most of the world uses 200-240V
2006-06-15 22:36:16 · answer #3 · answered by karen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, boy, would it be easier! And also if we all used the metric system, spoke one language, drove on the same side of the road, and maybe even had a single currency!
But, it's very expensive to convert from one standard to another, so thing just go on the way they have gone before.
2006-06-15 22:43:21 · answer #4 · answered by NotEasilyFooled 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually the voltage here is 240 volts as well, for larger equipment. 240 volts is much more efficent for running electronics, as the current draw is half of what it would be with 120. (which is half of 240) and this results in double the amperage draw.
2006-06-15 22:43:13 · answer #5 · answered by ACE REPAIR 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was just just the luck of the draw. In the US they thought 220 was to dangerous to use and went with 120. yes,it would make since to use one or the other, but the cost to convert the US to 220 would prevent it.
2006-06-15 22:37:52 · answer #6 · answered by doctorbob1958 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋