Some countries have 220v with 5A. We have 110v with 10A I guess. Why so? I have always noticed that the equipments (like washing machines ) that operate on 110v with 10A are much more powerful than 220v with 5A. So what is the purpose of increasing just the voltage?
2006-12-20 12:35:02 · 3 answers · asked by thewiseone 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
I too am an electrical engineer, but not an MD. But I can speak from experience that an electrical shock from 220 volts is significantly more jolting than a shock from 110 volts. Fortunately, I have survived both.
I believe that the reason some countries have 220 volts and other countries have 110 volts is not a concern for safety, but is just how the power systems have evolved. In the very early days of electricity there were no standards, and power varied from community to community. Some areas even had direct current (DC). Standards evolved as the power networks grew and consolidated, and as light bulbs and appliances were introduced. However, the separation afforded by the Atlantic Ocean caused two standards to result.
It should be noted that when the electrical standards were adopted, power consumption was far less than it is today, and also the cost of copper wire was not an issue. We were not so concerned with power loss in the wiring. If we were to do it over again today, I'd venture to say that we (in the US) would have the higher voltage as the standard.
2006-12-20 15:29:50 · answer #1 · answered by Tech Dude 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am an MD, and an electrical engineer. The difference does not matter in terms of power consumption; both are equivalent. However, the lower voltage-higher amperage setup requires more heavy duty wiring, which is more expensive. Why invest in larger diameter wires and heavier duty systems when simply doubling the voltage would be just as good? The answer is safety. The higher the voltage, the greater is the risk of death or injury from electrical shock. Which is more important? Safety or cost? In Europe and many third world counties they have chosen to favor cheaper expense over human life. It is all simply a matter of priorities.
2006-12-20 20:50:36 · answer #2 · answered by Sciencenut 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The power is the product of voltage by the current.The energy loss on distribution is increased 4 times if you go to half voltage because the energy loss is proportional to square of the current, so 220 V is better.Higher power units are working on 400 V or more.
2006-12-20 20:46:10 · answer #3 · answered by mi52 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋