The rest of the world is 220 volts (or thereabouts)

[MichaelD]

Assuming "clean power", as clean as it can be from a mains input, 220v is better.

Twice the wattage = half the amperage needed for the same task, right?

Why is the USA all by itself with a measly 110v, when the rest of the world is 200-something?

 

[Pepsi90919]

the USA is not all by itself in using 110V.

 

[spidey07]

Because we invented power.

Therefore we are better.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
the USA is not all by itself in using 110V.

Really? I did not google squat before posting.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

wut, don't we have both 110 and 220 lines? I remember my power brick blew up right when I plugged it in to an outlet in Korea (using a cheap adaptor).

 

[BornStar]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
the USA is not all by itself in using 110V.

Really? I did not google squat before posting.

I'm pretty sure Japan uses 110 and I know Canada and most of the areas around the US (Bermuda for sure) use 110.

 

[FoBoT]

japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

I have 440 and it has worked great for me. My computer runs much faster too.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

I thought 220 is just cheaper to produce

 

[MichaelD]

Well, I've used both 110v/60Hz and 220v/50Hz and I must say that the 220v is FAR better.

Every piece of electronics runs cooler b/c it's not drawing as much juice...this is a purely subjective "measurement" mind you.

My PCs power supply is a perfect example. Slide the switch to 220v, plug it in and it just seems to run so much cooler.

 

[allisolm]

Just in case anyone actually wants to know what countries use which:

http://www.travelproducts.com/electricity_guide.htm

 

[toekramp]

Originally posted by: forrestroche

Originally posted by: FoBoT
japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

I have 440 and it has worked great for me. My computer runs much faster too.

 

[BrownTown]

there is nothing subjective about the fact that the amount of energy wasted by 220V is half that of 110V, thats is just true. However the US was origionally wired at 110 and its alot easier to just keep it that way so that everything is the same and you don't mess up and fry your stuff. Practically speaking it really isn't that big of a deal just means that you are wasting a little bit mroe power than you would at 220V. But I guess on the other hand it don't hurt as much if you stick you finger in the plug .

EDIT: oh yeah, and of course lets not forget that you get 120-240 so in the US the big appliances like the dryer and AC run on 240, not 120.

 

[amdhunter]

Originally posted by: forrestroche

Originally posted by: FoBoT
japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

I have 440 and it has worked great for me. My computer runs much faster too.

Are you using water cooling to keep it cool?

 

[BrownTown]

440V would require less cooling not more...

 

[n7]

http://www.travelproducts.com/images/adapters/R.gif

best plug evar

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: forrestroche

Originally posted by: FoBoT
japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

I have 440 and it has worked great for me. My computer runs much faster too.

Are you using water cooling to keep it cool?

He probably uses solution.

 

[ryan256]

The US started out wired for 110. Think of how much things shut down when the power is out. That is effectively what would happen if everything here suddenly switched to 220. You would have to rebuy 220v versions of all your stuff or put a transformer outside your house to convert the incomming current to 110 before it went to your outlets. Both are cost prohibitive.

 

[TheSlamma]

Lets rewire the whole place!!

Imagine your electric bills then. Xcel asks for 2 raises a fuggin year now.

 

[MichaelD]

OK. Why don't all appliances come pre-wired/configured for 110/220v operation? How much cost would it add? $20? $40? I'd gladly pay that much more on top of the $1K I paid for a top-notch HT receiver that I could take around the world with me.

PC power supplies are either auto-ranging, or they have the slide-switch on the back. ALL electronics should be this way.

 

[slpaulson]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Well, I've used both 110v/60Hz and 220v/50Hz and I must say that the 220v is FAR better.

Every piece of electronics runs cooler b/c it's not drawing as much juice...this is a purely subjective "measurement" mind you.

My PCs power supply is a perfect example. Slide the switch to 220v, plug it in and it just seems to run so much cooler.

It's drawing less current but using roughly the same power (thus heat), ignoring differences in a power supply's efficiency with these different voltage inputs.

I'd think the main advantage would be less power wasted in wiring with 220V, but devices plugged into the wall still use roughly the same amount of power.

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
OK. Why don't all appliances come pre-wired/configured for 110/220v operation? How much cost would it add? $20? $40? I'd gladly pay that much more on top of the $1K I paid for a top-notch HT receiver that I could take around the world with me.

PC power supplies are either auto-ranging, or they have the slide-switch on the back. ALL electronics should be this way.

Umm, no they shouldn't that would be a whole lot of wasted work to put transformers into every single freaking appliance when the chances of them goign overseas is very low.

EDIT: also, like I said b4, US houses also have 240V going to them, you can add 240V plugs just as simply as adding 120V ones.

 

[forrestroche]

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: forrestroche

Originally posted by: FoBoT
japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

I have 440 and it has worked great for me. My computer runs much faster too.

Are you using water cooling to keep it cool?

I am using a mix of liquid gases (helium and nitro) pushed by a PASCAL H1 Series Rotary Vane Pump. I have to use a dehumidifier or I get icing on the cpu.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
OK. Why don't all appliances come pre-wired/configured for 110/220v operation? How much cost would it add? $20? $40? I'd gladly pay that much more on top of the $1K I paid for a top-notch HT receiver that I could take around the world with me.

PC power supplies are either auto-ranging, or they have the slide-switch on the back. ALL electronics should be this way.

Mafacturing is all about squeezing every penny out of the process that they can. There is no way they would add unnecesary parts.

Plus, companies love it when you have to repurchase a product you already own. It means more money for them.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: forrestroche

Originally posted by: amdhunter

Originally posted by: forrestroche

Originally posted by: FoBoT
japan is only 100V and they have both 60 and 50 Hz depending on where you are

I have 440 and it has worked great for me. My computer runs much faster too.

Are you using water cooling to keep it cool?

I am using a mix of liquid gases (helium and nitro) pushed by a PASCAL H1 Series Rotary Vane Pump. I have to use a dehumidifier or I get icing on the cpu.

This is an artfully executed example of an expert thread-jack...if I do say so myself.

Please continue.