which is better, 110 volts or 220 volts?

Question

Why does the U.S. have 110 and Europe have 220? who got stuck with the crummier system? Also, there is a difference in herz? what is that all about?

Answer 1

Neither of them are better, all these voltages get stepped up anywhere between 2000v to 500,000 volts depending on the distance there are going, by using transformers when transported out of power stations. Once they reach a neighborhood they are then stepped down to 120v in Canada or 220 volts in Europe. 120v delivers the same power as 220v but needs more current. High power devices such as pool pumps use transformers to step the voltage 120v to 240v so they could run the same standard wire to the pump. The hertz is just the speed at witch the voltage switches from +120v to -120v and back. Canada uses 60 hertz, and the speed in seconds can be calculated by going 1/frequency. Neither system makes much of a difference other then 220v you can have a little more devices running from the same wire, and 220volts hurts more when you get zapped by it.

Answer 2

220V is technically better.
110V was probably invented when electricity was just rolled out. It's impossible to upgrade it afterwards.

220V is better because you need less current to deliver the same power.
Current also determines how much loss there is in the wires, so less current is better.

That is also why the backbone system (from the el.plant to the consumer) is hundreds of thousands of volts. If it were 110 or 220, the incredible power it would have to deliver to a town would require enormous current; and that current would vaporise the wires.

Compare it with a river. Large amount of water (current) but only a small difference in pressure (voltage).
Stick a generator in the river and it will run slowly and not give you a lot of power.

Now get your water from way up a mountain.
The pressure is high, so you don't need a lot of water to run your generator.

You can also see it in the formulas:
Power = Voltage x Current. So for 2200 Watts (a typical washing machine) you need 10 amps at 220V (10x220) or 20 amps at 110 volts.
But... power also equals resistance times current squared:
P = R x I x I.

So if you deliver the power to your washing machine through a wire of, say, 1 ohm, then 10 amps of current are going to waste 100 watts in that wire (1 ohm x 10 x 10).
20 amps are going to waste 1x20x20=400 watts in that same wire, regardless of the voltage.

Answer 3

IF you are looking for a larger capacity unit then get one that uses 220 volts. But you need a special outlet for it if it uses 220 volts.

Answer 4

Better for what? 220 volt allows usage of smaller wires. The power used via either system is the same for the same appliances. 110 v has higher line losses (negligible in a house)

Answer 5

220 volts has more power and is more efficient. 220 volts will save you money in the long run because it doesn't have to constantly pull more power (such as the 110). Most homes have 220 in some circuits for larger equipment, such as frigs, stoves, washers, and some garages due to tools, etc.

Answer 6

110 is better for getting zapped because it hurts less than 220.

Answer 7

It's just the way the two technologies developed. One is no better than the other. It's like asking which is it better to drive on the right or left side of the street.

Answer 8

Well It's depend on your needs, if u were just like me who always have to use electronic gadget and stuff, u'll need 220v

If u want to live in serenade (like in countryside or in farm), u won't need that much electricity try 110 v and it helps u reduced the cost for your electricity bills ..^^

Answer 9

220. But it's a case of horses for courses. 240V is better for the UK grid system.