![]() ![]() in Europe they have 1 hot leg and a neutral.in America we have 2 alternating hot legs, and.Now in this hypothetical situation, the major difference we face is: To make things more comparable, imagine a magical world where Europe uses 240 volts instead of 230 volts, and 60 Hz instead of 50 Hz. ![]() ![]() Other than the slight difference in voltage, and the utility frequency difference (60 Hz vs 50 Hz), does the actual equipment (say a motor) even notice a difference? Can it even tell that the current is being supplied by 2 alternating hot legs vs 1 hot leg and a neutral?Įditing the question for clarity, because I have a specific gap in my knowledge that I am trying to understand: (Ok, I have more gaps than just one, but this question is focusing on one.) The American standard is of course two alternating hot legs, each at 120 volts, which can be used individually (with a neutral) to supply 120 volts, or together (but without a neutral) to supply 240 volts. This is different from the circuit panel illustration which reflects the long-standing practice of having a common neutral and ground tie block which was grounded at the house as well as at the transformer.This is more a question for curiosity, as I don't have a 240 volt appliance nor do I plan on visiting Europe.Īs far as I have been able to tell, much of Europe uses the CEE 7 standard for household receptacles, which (I think) consists of 1 hot leg at 230 volts and 1 neutral. The neutral tie block is grounded at the center tap of the transformer which supplies the house, and the ground tie block is tied directly to ground via a ground stake or other grounding mechanism. One recent variation which is in force in some locations is the requirement that the neutral tie block and ground wire tie block be separate. In addition there are several areas where 240 breaker with a neutral is feed to an outlet providing both 240 and 120 for instance your electric range, electric dryer. Electronically it is like a 240v center tapped transformer. No attempt to summarize the code will be made here, but a few examples may be instructive. To clarify 120V/240V is single phase, not dual phase. For example, current code dictates three-prong polarized receptacles and dictates the use of ground fault interrupters in locations where an electrical appliance may be dropped in water. electrical wiring is governed by a general electrical code. A non-polarized plug may have the switch in the neutral leg and thus be a shock hazard even when it is switched off. The narrower prong is the "hot" lead and the switch to the appliance is placed in that lead, gauranteeing that no voltage will reach the appliance when it is switched off. The wider prong on the polarized plug will permit it to be plugged in only with the correct polarity. 240 Volt Outlet The 240 volt outlet symbol may be used to describe 240 volt equipment such as an electric clothes dryer or. In some installations a floor outlet may be mounted in a divided electrical box where low voltage connections are provided for devices such as a TV or Data Port. Parallel wiring is the standard for 120 volt circuits in the entire house, making possible the independent use of all appliances, supplied by the same voltage. A floor outlet may be a single outlet, duplex outlet or more. They are wired in parallel so that two appliances which are plugged into the receptacle receive the same voltage, but can draw different amounts of electric current. The two receptacles in a common "duplex" receptacle receive power from the same circuit leading from the main electrical supply panel. The ground wire is not a part of the electrical circuit, but is desirable for prevention of electric shock. The neutral wire carries the current back to the electrical panel and from there to the earth (ground). If an appliance is plugged into the receptacle, then electric current will flow through the appliance and then back to the wider prong, the neutral. The high voltage (about 120 volts effective, 60 Hz AC) is supplied to the smaller prong of the standard polarized U.S. HyperPhysics***** Electricity and magnetism What happens to the electric charge in household circuits? ![]() , both hot wires can be used to produce a 240 volt circuit. For higher power applications like clothes dryers, electric ranges, air conditioners, etc. This versatile design allows the use of either hot wire to supply the standard 120 volt household circuits. The two 120 volt wires are obtained by grounding the centertap of the transformer supplying the house so that when one hot wire is swinging positive with respect to ground, the other is swinging negative. household wiring design has two 120 volt "hot" wires and a neutral which is at ground potential. Household Electric Circuits Household Wiring ![]()
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