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Any reason for US to switch from 110V to 220V?
- Thread starter coolwater
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A typical residence is already 220V. The only difference is that a 220V circuit uses two poles from the panel, and a 110/120V circuit uses one plus a neutral.
The only thing to be gained by increasing voltage is to decrease the current (amps) in the conductor, and since most circuits and breakers in a home are already only 15 amps you wouldn't be able to make them smaller by going to 220V.
It's more a function of the appliance, not a function of the electrical system. In a house, the only things on 220V are things that draw a lot of amps - water heaters, dryers, air conditioning, stoves and ovens. The amount of current going to something like a light bulb is already only a trickle at 110V. Going to 220V won't give you any benefit.
The only thing to be gained by increasing voltage is to decrease the current (amps) in the conductor, and since most circuits and breakers in a home are already only 15 amps you wouldn't be able to make them smaller by going to 220V.
It's more a function of the appliance, not a function of the electrical system. In a house, the only things on 220V are things that draw a lot of amps - water heaters, dryers, air conditioning, stoves and ovens. The amount of current going to something like a light bulb is already only a trickle at 110V. Going to 220V won't give you any benefit.