Why do some countries have different voltages? [closed]
Why do some countries have different voltages than others? Why is there no universal plug like a USB?
international-travel electronic-items power
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
closed as off-topic by JonathanReez♦, Itai, Zach Lipton, choster, blackbird Aug 10 '16 at 22:27
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
add a comment |
Why do some countries have different voltages than others? Why is there no universal plug like a USB?
international-travel electronic-items power
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
closed as off-topic by JonathanReez♦, Itai, Zach Lipton, choster, blackbird Aug 10 '16 at 22:27
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it fits better on Electronics.SE, e.g.: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115200/…
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 10 '16 at 21:32
Yet another curiosity question. "Why" seems to be a common factor in them.
– hippietrail
Sep 15 '16 at 11:29
add a comment |
Why do some countries have different voltages than others? Why is there no universal plug like a USB?
international-travel electronic-items power
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
Why do some countries have different voltages than others? Why is there no universal plug like a USB?
international-travel electronic-items power
international-travel electronic-items power
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
edited Sep 15 '16 at 8:33
pnuts
27k367165
27k367165
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
asked Aug 10 '16 at 21:28
Matthew PetersMatthew Peters
1629
1629
closed as off-topic by JonathanReez♦, Itai, Zach Lipton, choster, blackbird Aug 10 '16 at 22:27
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
closed as off-topic by JonathanReez♦, Itai, Zach Lipton, choster, blackbird Aug 10 '16 at 22:27
- This question does not appear to be about traveling within the scope defined in the help center.
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it fits better on Electronics.SE, e.g.: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115200/…
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 10 '16 at 21:32
Yet another curiosity question. "Why" seems to be a common factor in them.
– hippietrail
Sep 15 '16 at 11:29
add a comment |
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it fits better on Electronics.SE, e.g.: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115200/…
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 10 '16 at 21:32
Yet another curiosity question. "Why" seems to be a common factor in them.
– hippietrail
Sep 15 '16 at 11:29
9
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it fits better on Electronics.SE, e.g.: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115200/…
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 10 '16 at 21:32
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it fits better on Electronics.SE, e.g.: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115200/…
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 10 '16 at 21:32
Yet another curiosity question. "Why" seems to be a common factor in them.
– hippietrail
Sep 15 '16 at 11:29
Yet another curiosity question. "Why" seems to be a common factor in them.
– hippietrail
Sep 15 '16 at 11:29
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Why do some countries use different currencies? Countries picked a standard at one point and now they are generally pretty much stuck with it. As Wikipedia tells us:
The choice of voltage is due more to historical reasons
than optimization of the distribution system—once a voltage is in use
and equipment using this voltage is widespread, changing voltage is a
drastic and expensive measure.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to different voltages (mainly around the cost and waste involved in distributing electricity), but the cost and inconvenience of switching electrical systems for a whole country is huge: the electrical utility would have to change transformers across the country, and everyone would have to replace large and expensive appliances (or install large and expensive transformers, which aren't 100% efficient and would "waste" additional electricity). If the mains voltage is increased, devices intended to work with the lower voltage could be permanently damaged or even catch fire. If the mains voltage is decreased, devices intended to work with the higher voltage could stop working or work ineffectively.
USB is emerging as sort of a universal standard for low-power electronic devices, but even there it's not so much of a standard. There are different USB charging standards, some official and some de facto, and the entire situation is a bit of a mess. USB-C, which is a new physical connector with new charging specs, tries to solve some of these problems, but it also means yet another standard to deal with. USB is also completely unsuitable for high power applications, which, in residential applications, can be anything from a hair dryer to an electric oven or air conditioner (USB-C can deliver up to 100W, while even something like a toaster or microwave will draw on the order of 1,000W).
In my experience, most devices that typical travelers carry are generally dual-voltage now, which greatly reduces the problem as a practical issue when traveling, though it is always important to check.
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
1
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Why do some countries use different currencies? Countries picked a standard at one point and now they are generally pretty much stuck with it. As Wikipedia tells us:
The choice of voltage is due more to historical reasons
than optimization of the distribution system—once a voltage is in use
and equipment using this voltage is widespread, changing voltage is a
drastic and expensive measure.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to different voltages (mainly around the cost and waste involved in distributing electricity), but the cost and inconvenience of switching electrical systems for a whole country is huge: the electrical utility would have to change transformers across the country, and everyone would have to replace large and expensive appliances (or install large and expensive transformers, which aren't 100% efficient and would "waste" additional electricity). If the mains voltage is increased, devices intended to work with the lower voltage could be permanently damaged or even catch fire. If the mains voltage is decreased, devices intended to work with the higher voltage could stop working or work ineffectively.
USB is emerging as sort of a universal standard for low-power electronic devices, but even there it's not so much of a standard. There are different USB charging standards, some official and some de facto, and the entire situation is a bit of a mess. USB-C, which is a new physical connector with new charging specs, tries to solve some of these problems, but it also means yet another standard to deal with. USB is also completely unsuitable for high power applications, which, in residential applications, can be anything from a hair dryer to an electric oven or air conditioner (USB-C can deliver up to 100W, while even something like a toaster or microwave will draw on the order of 1,000W).
In my experience, most devices that typical travelers carry are generally dual-voltage now, which greatly reduces the problem as a practical issue when traveling, though it is always important to check.
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
1
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
add a comment |
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Why do some countries use different currencies? Countries picked a standard at one point and now they are generally pretty much stuck with it. As Wikipedia tells us:
The choice of voltage is due more to historical reasons
than optimization of the distribution system—once a voltage is in use
and equipment using this voltage is widespread, changing voltage is a
drastic and expensive measure.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to different voltages (mainly around the cost and waste involved in distributing electricity), but the cost and inconvenience of switching electrical systems for a whole country is huge: the electrical utility would have to change transformers across the country, and everyone would have to replace large and expensive appliances (or install large and expensive transformers, which aren't 100% efficient and would "waste" additional electricity). If the mains voltage is increased, devices intended to work with the lower voltage could be permanently damaged or even catch fire. If the mains voltage is decreased, devices intended to work with the higher voltage could stop working or work ineffectively.
USB is emerging as sort of a universal standard for low-power electronic devices, but even there it's not so much of a standard. There are different USB charging standards, some official and some de facto, and the entire situation is a bit of a mess. USB-C, which is a new physical connector with new charging specs, tries to solve some of these problems, but it also means yet another standard to deal with. USB is also completely unsuitable for high power applications, which, in residential applications, can be anything from a hair dryer to an electric oven or air conditioner (USB-C can deliver up to 100W, while even something like a toaster or microwave will draw on the order of 1,000W).
In my experience, most devices that typical travelers carry are generally dual-voltage now, which greatly reduces the problem as a practical issue when traveling, though it is always important to check.
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
1
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
add a comment |
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Why do some countries use different currencies? Countries picked a standard at one point and now they are generally pretty much stuck with it. As Wikipedia tells us:
The choice of voltage is due more to historical reasons
than optimization of the distribution system—once a voltage is in use
and equipment using this voltage is widespread, changing voltage is a
drastic and expensive measure.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to different voltages (mainly around the cost and waste involved in distributing electricity), but the cost and inconvenience of switching electrical systems for a whole country is huge: the electrical utility would have to change transformers across the country, and everyone would have to replace large and expensive appliances (or install large and expensive transformers, which aren't 100% efficient and would "waste" additional electricity). If the mains voltage is increased, devices intended to work with the lower voltage could be permanently damaged or even catch fire. If the mains voltage is decreased, devices intended to work with the higher voltage could stop working or work ineffectively.
USB is emerging as sort of a universal standard for low-power electronic devices, but even there it's not so much of a standard. There are different USB charging standards, some official and some de facto, and the entire situation is a bit of a mess. USB-C, which is a new physical connector with new charging specs, tries to solve some of these problems, but it also means yet another standard to deal with. USB is also completely unsuitable for high power applications, which, in residential applications, can be anything from a hair dryer to an electric oven or air conditioner (USB-C can deliver up to 100W, while even something like a toaster or microwave will draw on the order of 1,000W).
In my experience, most devices that typical travelers carry are generally dual-voltage now, which greatly reduces the problem as a practical issue when traveling, though it is always important to check.
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
Why do some countries drive on the left and others on the right? Why do some countries use different currencies? Countries picked a standard at one point and now they are generally pretty much stuck with it. As Wikipedia tells us:
The choice of voltage is due more to historical reasons
than optimization of the distribution system—once a voltage is in use
and equipment using this voltage is widespread, changing voltage is a
drastic and expensive measure.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to different voltages (mainly around the cost and waste involved in distributing electricity), but the cost and inconvenience of switching electrical systems for a whole country is huge: the electrical utility would have to change transformers across the country, and everyone would have to replace large and expensive appliances (or install large and expensive transformers, which aren't 100% efficient and would "waste" additional electricity). If the mains voltage is increased, devices intended to work with the lower voltage could be permanently damaged or even catch fire. If the mains voltage is decreased, devices intended to work with the higher voltage could stop working or work ineffectively.
USB is emerging as sort of a universal standard for low-power electronic devices, but even there it's not so much of a standard. There are different USB charging standards, some official and some de facto, and the entire situation is a bit of a mess. USB-C, which is a new physical connector with new charging specs, tries to solve some of these problems, but it also means yet another standard to deal with. USB is also completely unsuitable for high power applications, which, in residential applications, can be anything from a hair dryer to an electric oven or air conditioner (USB-C can deliver up to 100W, while even something like a toaster or microwave will draw on the order of 1,000W).
In my experience, most devices that typical travelers carry are generally dual-voltage now, which greatly reduces the problem as a practical issue when traveling, though it is always important to check.
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
edited Aug 10 '16 at 22:11
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
answered Aug 10 '16 at 21:45
Zach LiptonZach Lipton
60.4k10184244
60.4k10184244
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
1
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
add a comment |
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
1
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
Indeed Europe used 120V until after WW2, when it switched over to 230V for better efficiency in electrical transmission. The US didn't switch because the average US household already had a fridge and washing-machine, which would have been needed to be replaced.
– sitic
Aug 10 '16 at 22:02
1
1
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
I don't think you would have to change the entire transmission network, only the final transformers that step down to household voltage.
– Patricia Shanahan
Aug 10 '16 at 22:07
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
@PatriciaShanahan Fair point. It would still be an enormous project though.
– Zach Lipton
Aug 10 '16 at 22:12
add a comment |
9
I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it fits better on Electronics.SE, e.g.: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/115200/…
– JonathanReez♦
Aug 10 '16 at 21:32
Yet another curiosity question. "Why" seems to be a common factor in them.
– hippietrail
Sep 15 '16 at 11:29