220v (machines) in the US
- Thread starter Rorschach
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Rorschach, the US 220 volt system is bizzarre. Its 2 x 110 live wires, running out of phase. Think a 3 phase motor with a wire missing. Nothing EU 220 volt can be made to work there without stupidly big inverters.
Are you sure about that? Son-in-law in Ohio runs washing machine and sundry other 240V stuff quite happily from an official 240V supply in their house. Not sure if this has to be ordered from the utility company, but it was in the house when they bought it.
(Daughter reckons US made washing machines are carp)
(Daughter reckons US made washing machines are carp)
I'm on another predominantly american woodworking forum and thats what is repeatedly talked about.
Their national grid is 3 phase 110v. A recent thread concerned a 220 volt machine that was only switched on one of the lives. This stopped the motor running, but left all the wires inside still live.
I dont have first hand experience.
Their national grid is 3 phase 110v. A recent thread concerned a 220 volt machine that was only switched on one of the lives. This stopped the motor running, but left all the wires inside still live.
I dont have first hand experience.
nev
Established Member
The above is split from a recent for sale post. The discussion may be informative for some so its moved here for continued discussion should anyone desire, rather than deleted.
The USA is 60hz not 50hz , see here http://www.school-for-champions.com/sci ... 3WSQtTyvwc
Monkey Mark
Established Member
I know people who use American tools over here (UK), with no problem. Just run slightly slower.
Not sure about the other way though.
Not sure about the other way though.
Monkey Mark
Established Member
Hmmm, this has me intrigued now.
I've been searching for information on the AC supply in america and so far have only found out the same as what has already been posted.
America started off at 110 v.
It adopted 220v due to lower currents.
As a result some households run both voltages. In these situations a supply of 220v is provided then split within the houshold.
For now, I'm going to ignore frequency.
What i can't find is how the 220v is made up.
If it is as above and it's 2 x 110v running out if phase then its either 120° out meaning it would never reach a peak of 220v, or its running 180° out of phase meaning they run a 2 phase system. That "should" allow a motor to run without issues b t i find it hard to see a reason as to only run 2 phase systems.
It's strange how hard it seems to garner facts on this.
I've been searching for information on the AC supply in america and so far have only found out the same as what has already been posted.
America started off at 110 v.
It adopted 220v due to lower currents.
As a result some households run both voltages. In these situations a supply of 220v is provided then split within the houshold.
For now, I'm going to ignore frequency.
What i can't find is how the 220v is made up.
If it is as above and it's 2 x 110v running out if phase then its either 120° out meaning it would never reach a peak of 220v, or its running 180° out of phase meaning they run a 2 phase system. That "should" allow a motor to run without issues b t i find it hard to see a reason as to only run 2 phase systems.
It's strange how hard it seems to garner facts on this.
Monkey Mark":dx85krlf said:
Mark, it will be split phase generation/supply.
We use a slightly clever transformer wound to supply 2 phases 180 deg apart.
The voltage stated is a bit wonky, they do like we do here and round it down to a nominal value.
In the UK we are obviously rated at 230v but in effect this varies up and down quite a bit. Split phase supplies here are supposedly 460v between the two phases but can be higher than 480v quite often (sometimes lower as well).
We change the tappings on the transformer to regulate the output if it's way out though. We use a lot of split phase out in the sticks to the likes of farms, small hamlets, etc.
If you're ever out in the country and see a 3 phase HV line at a terminal pole with only two wires going off in another direction, that will be going to a split phase transformer.
IIRC 2 phase generation can be done with the generated phases being at 180 deg apart, and if I rack the brain even further I'm sure it can be done at 90 deg apart as well but don't quote me on that.
The states do offer true 2 phase supply, but this is usually done by only pulling in 2 phases from a 3 phase supply/network. It's a way of controlling the load. Why the yanks are do it this way I have no idea.
It's amusing when you get a newbie spark trying to work out a "3 phase" supply without a neutral provided getting "crazy high" readings on his volt meter. Better still when the customer's been told to buy something that's 3 phase and them struggling to make it work :lol:
I am naughty :lol:
RogerS
Established Member
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