Why does europe use 220

Regular appliances like lamps, laptops, and phones do not need access to this power. For those who are surprised to hear households have V coming into the home, the way it works is as follows: right prior to the residence entry, the line transformer secondaries are center-trapped so as to provide split-phase V on two hot legs 1 and 2 and neutral at the center tap which is referenced to Earth at the breaker box. For most home outlets, either leg 1 or leg 2 is used with the neutral line to provide V alternating current to power small appliances with a plug-in cord.

For larger appliances, as in the case of the aforementioned oven and laundry machine, they will use leg 1 to leg 2 voltage, which is a straight shot of V line to line out of special outlets, or otherwise specially hardwired to specific areas of the home.

Now, historically speaking, one of the main reasons why the US stuck with V as its standard power supply largely has to do with the fact that it was initially tied to carbon filament lighting. So V was made the standard. The United Kingdom is one area of the world that did change things up after setting up its power grid. Mind, Americans who have European equipment should not connect it to these outlets, since the phasing is wrong. Below is a map that shows the domestic voltage and frequency used in every country of the world.

Dark blue coloured countries use V. The electrical network in red countries operates at V. Keep in mind that this map is only a general overview. Sometimes there can be voltage differences within one and the same country. For complete and detailed information, click here.

Press enter to begin your search. Close Search. Last updated: 8 September So some places they used 25Hz, and you could see the lights flicker - and the required size of the transformers Show 5 more comments.

Meanwhile, the German company AEG started generating electricity and became a virtual monopoly in Europe. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. You can argue them forever. JRaef JRaef 3, 8 8 silver badges 12 12 bronze badges.

He can handle volt, but would kill him. Dmitry Grigoryev Dmitry Grigoryev Max Townshend Max Townshend 11 1 1 bronze badge. But the link between raw material resources and frequency choice needs more explanation.

Dave Tweed k 16 16 gold badges silver badges bronze badges. I've read that two-thirds of UK rural dwellings were connected by Some of it doesn't even make sense. For example, if the rest of Europe 'followed shortly after the US' why did they go for V? The Overflow Blog. Does ES6 make JavaScript frameworks obsolete? Podcast Do polyglots have an edge when it comes to mastering programming Featured on Meta. Now live: A fully responsive profile.

Linked 0. Related 2. Hot Network Questions. In total darkness, carrying a flashlight, we absentmindedly try to switch on the light.

Expats and international travelers know that the electric power in Europe is different from the power in North America. No surprise there. But why? Why does most of the world use double the voltage that comes out of an American power outlet? Is one better than the other? How did this happen? Japan for some reason has volts, the lowest household power voltage in the world. And half the country is 50Hz, the other 60Hz, apparently the result of German versus US equipment back in the s.

The United States power grid is much less well integrated, but all over North America the voltage is a nominal volts. Actual voltage at the wall outlet or light switch in any system can vary by plus or minus 5 to 10 percent. By far most of the world uses volts.

Of course, all over the world power poles or underground lines transmit power at much higher voltages. This color-coded map showing various electrical plug types used around the world. The electric power coming into a North American home or business is actually volts, which is then split into two volt lines normally a split-phase three-wire system.

The volt outlets are for lighting, small appliances, and other devices TV set, computer, toaster, etc. The oven, cooking range, air conditioner, electric water heater, EV charger, and other high-power devices use the full volts, using special grounded plugs and outlets that are larger than the volt type. In Europe the normal power outlets are volts and the high-power appliances are fed volts formerly volts.

But Why? But why, you ask, is there a volt standard in North America and a volt one in Europe?