110 volt vs 220 volt<<emergency,please help

[AM.1990]

Hi guys.I want to know which 110 or 220 voltage is better.why some countries such as U.S use 110 and many others use 220?which is more safe?which is harder to produce?and which costs more?
any comments and helps will be appreciated.Thanks

 

[boatnik1]

I wouldn't think that production costs or complexity would be any different as suppliers generate at high voltage, typically exceeding 11Kv and distribute at the high voltage to local transformers for reduction to the required voltage. Cable sizes from the transformers to consumers would be heavier for 110v as the current would typically be double that for a similar wattage on 220/230v. Likewise with consumer wiring.
110v would normally be considered safer than 220v which is why 110v is the prefered standard for power tools on sites. 110v is much less likely to kill you, should you feel the need to touch live cables.

 

[AM.1990]

thanks friend.but one more thing.the higher voltage is worst for killing or higher current?i read in a forum that a very high foltage with a little current is not as dangerous as a low voltage with high current.what is the stat?

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

yeah its current that kills not voltage

 

[AM.1990]

So why some countries use 110 V instead of 220?

 

[Andy Smith]

Most 110v transformers used for power tools are actually center tapped and so for a fault the voltage would only be 55 volts and not even 110 v

Think you will find that historically we choose to go the 240volt route to reduce cable cost and wear on switching due to the fact that we can use less current. America got its standards from dear old Edison i think!

 

[andyb]

yeah its current that kills not voltage

It's not quite as simple as that, the resistance of your boby is constant, therefore the higher the voltage the higher the current passing through your boby.

A car battery can deliver a very high current but is only 12 volts, so you can put your body across its terminals without feeling anything.

Try the same trick across a 230 volt supply that is limited to say .5 of an amp and then get back to this forum and let us know how you get on.

 

[AM.1990]

It's not quite as simple as that, the resistance of your boby is constant, therefore the higher the voltage the higher the current passing through your boby.

A car battery can deliver a very high current but is only 12 volts, so you can put your body across its terminals without feeling anything.

Try the same trick across a 230 volt supply that is limited to say .5 of an amp and then get back to this forum and let us know how you get on.

So with all of this 110 volt is more safe?
(the costs in these years are so important and for now some countries are changing to 110v,i want to know this is for more safty?and they forgot to use less copper?is any more advantages in 110 v or its just more safe?)

 

[acat]

Voltage is not a problem the yanks and now us have the tazer which delivers 50,000 volts without a problem its the amps that kill.

Chris

 

[boatnik1]

So with all of this 110 volt is more safe?
(the costs in these years are so important and for now some countries are changing to 110v,i want to know this is for more safty?and they forgot to use less copper?is any more advantages in 110 v or its just more safe?)

Advantage. 110v is considered to be safer, yes.

Disadvantage. Heavier conductors are required, so more copper is used although some utility companies are now using aluminium conductors which are less efficient but considerably cheaper.
Domestic motors are wound with heavier gauge wire but with fewer turns so similar weight of copper is used

Although US voltage is quoted as 110v the supply is frequently two 110v hot wires with the neutral being found on site through an earth rod. The two hot wires allow 220v equipment to be used across the two phases.

 

[AM.1990]

Can anyone define these sentences to me?(i have read these in a site):

Grab a 110 line and you'll get shocked.

Grab a 220 line and you will get electrocuted.

Thanks.

 

[boatnik1]

I would have thought they were self explanitary, and as a rule of thumb should be accepted.

 

[scotsparky]

pritty stupid to do any

 

[AM.1990]

I would have thought they were self explanitary, and as a rule of thumb should be accepted.

so whats the difference between shock and electrocut?

 

[acat]

After a shock you worry about the bills and your next job after an electocution you dont worry about anything cos your dead

Chris