Quote from: WOTR on July 07, 2019, 03:19:45 PM
Ah, yes... 230 V 50Hz. Who the hell runs motors at 50Hz?
We, of course, run 240V as well... But that is reserved for appliances like stoves or dryers that require large amounts of power. Who needs to power a cell phone charger with 230V?
They run at a nominal 230-240V and 13A. If you need more you can three phase it. Phone chargers just use step down chargers.
QuoteI will admit that your actual outlets and plugs are a better design. But they probably evolved that way as your average electrical is inherently more dangerous than ours.
How more dangerous? Firstly it's illegal to have any kind of socket or wall mounted light switch in a bathroom, there are also regulations on how close a socket or switch is to a sink with running water. Almost all power supply is underground that goes to an outside circuit breaker box.
QuoteMy understanding is that many homes are one giant circuit rather than on individual breakers?*
Not exactly. Power (Sockets) and lighting are separated, and mostly divided again into kitchen, upstairs, downstairs, and oven using several more amps. It's illegal to run a lighting circuit from a power circuit and vice versa. All are independent to each other, so if one goes down, the others stay functioning unless of course it's the mains supply at source.
Quote*Actually, that is an honest question. I think they used to be- with fuses in the plug ends rather than a central panel after the war... But I'm genuinely curious if that is still the case with new construction?
Three pin plugs are fused to protect the appliance, but that's in addition to the circuit breakers for each circuit supply.