Why in the world some countries use 110 volts while others uses 220 volts?

Answer 1

Just different standards. Why do some countries use the metric system and some the imperial? Why do some countries have right-lane traffic and some left-lane? It's just the way things have happened.

Answer 2

Its the same reason why some use fehrinhite vs Cintigrade and meter vs Foot. It is all commercial. Let me tell you about my country (Saudi Arabia). We use both 110 and 220 volts for our outlets. Not only that; but, we also have 50 and 60 Hz. It is all political. Since, we are deversified with our electrical appliances imports (we actually import from whoever makes a product provided relationship between the two countries is at bay). So we have to satisfy all. The city where I live provide 110 volts with 60 hz. This means the city in US controlled system. only 2 hrs drive from here, you'd get into the 220 v/50 Hz territory, obviously european. For your information, to use 110 v, all specifications mandated by the governing US body MUST be adhered to. To not do so will subject the user to more danger than the 220 would. That wouldn't come without cost.

Answer 3

The 220 Volts current means that there is less power loss during transmission. This is used by less developed and developing countries as power is at a premium. But the 110 volts means that the current is more safe so that chances of one receiving a shock is minimal. This is used mostly by developed countries.

Answer 4

For a given system that consumes power and that transmits power the flowin of current dissipates heat which consumes power. When the Emf force is high, power is reached at a point with less loss than when it's transmitted at long length with reduced EMF ( evidently by P = I Squared R ).Power loss is significant as current is increased. I personally would favour the power transmitted at less current and more voltage. When a standard for transmission was being developed by con edison and some other person from germany, the favoured system proposed was 220V, but con edison had already patented dozens of systems which uses 120V and was adamant in not using the 220V which he knew was better. Eventually the german person went back to Europe and established the 220V system, he also equally enraged that nothing con edison patented at 120V would be used there.

Also, check this:
http://www.hydroponics.net/learn/is-220-volts-more-efficient.asp

Answer 5

220 volts is not resistance. It is potential difference between electrodes. The unit of resistance is ohm. When the voltage is reduced from 220 to 110, the flow of electrons is increased. And, of course, it is more expensive because when the flow of electrons is generally increased along a conductor, the electrical appliance must have to be designed in such a way to bear the inflow of electrons. Otherwise, it would burn of due to extra dissipation of thermal energy that cannot be contained by the resistivity of the wire carrying the current into the appliance!

Answer 6

We use both 120 and 240 VAC. Our 120V line is merely 1 line from the 240V circuit, with the other line being neutral, and is connected to a ground or return.

This means only 1 wire in our 120V outlets is "HOT", and allows us to use less expensive single pole switches and and circuit breakers. It means it is a bit safer also, because of lower voltage and only having 1 "HOT" wire in the circuit. There is also much controversy in this area as to what is safer.

When we need more power, for ranges and dryers and water heaters, etc, we use both lines of the 240VAC circuit, and both wires are "HOT". There is no neutral in a 240VAC connection. Some of the more modern kitchen range connections include a neutral wire to allow the use of 120VAC timers and clocks and light bulbs. I think that is now required by the National Electrical Code but you would have to check with an electrician on that.

240V is more efficient, but the power used it measured in WATTS, which is volts times amps. If you use 10 amps per hour at 120 Volts, that is 1200 watts you are charged for. If you use 5 amps at 240 volts, it does the same amount of work, and that is still 1200 watts you are being charged for.

Yes, different countries made a different decision on these things also. I believe that England uses 240VAC also, and I have heard that for safety in these high voltage circuits, that they require circuit breakers in every electrical outlet, and I imagine that costs a pretty penny!

Answer 7

Not surprising that we use 110 since it take twice the amps for same load and everyone know the US is the best at wasting energy. Also, since current is doubled with the lower voltage, the power required is actually 4 times that if we had used 220. Plus we have to use heavier wires for 110 which, if you have seen the price of copper lately, which costs more initially and adds to total weight of item.

Answer 8

we use both in the united states, 110V and 120V, usually if your near a power station it is 120V, but the further away you are the more Voltage drop you get so some places are 110V. Or 220 or 240. The united states operates on a frequency of 60Hz while europe uses 50Hz. Why you say? its all a mater of standerds.

Answer 9

It's a cultural thang, Dawg ☺


Doug

Answer 10

220 is actually more efficient. i don't remember the details, but you actually save electricity with 220v, and 120 is wasteful.