Why does Europe have a voltage of 220V, Japan has 100V, and North America has 110V? Is 220V better, more dangerous, or more efficient? Why doesn't the world converge into a more unified voltage?
It is right that European countries voltage level between 220-230V is twice then north American countries.But the real difference is of frequency north American countries have.The three phase alternating current generation and distribution idea was given by Nikola tesla.He made many careful calculations and measurements and found out that 60 Hz ( power generating. He preferred 240 volts, which put him at odds with Thomas Edison, whose direct current (DC) systems were 110 volts. Perhaps Edison had a useful point in the safety factor of the lower voltage, but DC couldn’t provide the power to a distance that AC could.When the German company AEG built the first European generating facility, its engineers decided to fix the frequency at 50 Hz, because the number 60 did not fit the metric standard unit sequence (1, 2, 5). At that time, and only after World War II the 50-cycle standard was established.Originally Europe was 120 V too, just like usa today. It has been deemed necessary to increase voltage to get more power with less losses and voltage drop from the same copper wire diameter. At the time the US also wanted to change but because of the cost involved to replace all electric appliances, they decided not to. At the time (50s-60s) the average US household already had a fridge, a washing-machine, etc., but not in Europe.The result was that throughout the 20th century, the US had to cope with problems such as light bulbs that burnt out rather quickly when they were close to the transformer (too high a voltage), or just the other way round: not enough voltage at the end of the line (105 to 127 volt spread !).Eventually the problems were solved by supplying all buildings and houses with 240 volts split into two 120 volt circuits which, between them, feed all the house’s receptacles. The common neutral wire is connected at the centre point of the split 240 volts on the main panel. The full 240 volts is used for powerful appliances such as ovens and clothes dryers.Mit Patel
Side panels on an A/C window unit.?
I would just buy a 1 X 4 or 1 X 6 pine board that will take up the extra width needed and screw it in place with small brackets...materials sold at home centers....might have to coat the board with waterproof or exterior grade paint to keep it from rotting or getting mold from rain.You'll need to slide the AC unit to one side of the window opening and see how much space you will need with the side panels extended less fully. If the space you need to fill in is less than 3 1/2 " then buy a 1 X 4 board at a home center that is long enough to fill in the height of the AC unit ...you may need to cut the board with a hand saw or power circular saw to the exact length to match the height of the opening. If the extra width is more than 3 1/2" and closer to 5 1/2" , then use a 1 X 6 board....even wider widths can be filled with a 1 X 8 board ,etc.. Another option is that home centers or hardware stores sell foam weatherstrip in various sizes which you may be able to place on either side of the AC unit side wings to the window opening so they do not extend out as far or seal better...some AC unit w/strip can be around 1 1/2- 2 1/4"" thick/square so you would gain nearly an extra 3-4" in total by placing strips on either side of the wings to the window opening.Cut the strips to length to fill in the height as needed and place on either side of the wings...then move the wings outwards to press the weatherstrip tight to the window opening. If the wings have small holes or tabs to mount screws into the window or window frame, then install small screws in those tabs to keep the wings tightly in place pressed against the w/strip. One brand of weatherstrip... http://www.hardwarestore.com/air-conditi...
Can I plug my USA laptop into a a 220V outlet in another country?
Most laptops made in the past several years are universal dual 120–240V power adapters so they can run on either voltage, anywhere in-between, and actually somewhat beyond. Frequencies of 50 to 60 Hz are acceptable.You will just need an appropriate power plug adapter.You don’t need a step down transformer or the like.You might want to double check by reading the label on your adapter to make sure it includes something like Input Voltage: 110–250VAC or V~This one shows a label statingINPUT100–240V ~ 50–60 Hz 1.5A(note: the 1.5A is not important to you; this adapter will work anywhere from 100 to 240V, just about anywhere in the world).USA voltages are 120 V~ nowadays and other Countries use 220, 230, or 240 V~. Japan has 100V~
How can I convert 12 volt dc to 220 volt ac supply?
Convertion of alternating voltages to direct voltages can be done by using rectifiers. Similarly conversion of direct voltages to alternating voltages can be done by using inverters.Here our aim is to get ac supply from dc. So by using full bridge inverter we can get alternating supply from dc.Here is the circuit of full bridge inverter(Image taken from www.reasearchgate.com)By controlling the switches we can control the output voltage waveform.Suppose if we switch on T1,T2 once,then T1 and T2 will act as short circuit, then the total voltage appears across load is +12V.By switching off T1 and T2 and by switching on T3,T4 , then T3 and T4 conducts but current flows through T3-load-T4. So the voltage across load is -12V.By using this we'll get square wave with +12 and -12V. By placing proper capacitors across load we can make it sinusoidal wave.Now our task is to make this 12V sinusoidal wave to 220V sinusoidal. This can be done by placing step up transformer 12/ 220V.It's better to use 12/240V transformer even though some voltage drop occurs in circuit we'll get around 220V.I hope your doubt is cleared. Otherwise feel free to request your question.Thank you
What if I plug a 220V to a 240V?
OP: “What if I plug a 220V to a 240V?”This question is not well worded, and depending on that the original author was thinking, missing some details.Electrical power outlets look like this (or similar)[Image courtesy TripAdvisor.com]The two rightmost are the Euro-style “Schuko” grounding pin side contact variety.The Far Left is the North American two blade with longer pin for 110 Volts.The Left of Centre outlet is the UK style three pin variety.Depending on the current, there are larger devices , for things such as electric dryer , and oven machines, but they look similar.But your question does not make mention of what is being plugged that has the rating of 220V? or the item and its tolerance for voltage fluctuation.If the tolerance is 10%, then anything +22 volts or -22volts from the ‘standard’ will be fine.So, the device is ‘rated’ for 230 Volts.This means that it can tolerate a drop of 23 volts , and an increase of 23 volts.Suppose the tolerance is -5%/ +15%.This would mean that the supply can be 220 to 260 Volts.But that is for a device/ appliance etc that is designed for 230 Volts.What if it is grandma’s Microwave Oven , and it says 220–240 V, 50 Hz on the label?Well then you are fine, because the outlet will supply 240 Volts.But this is for a Generator.Ah, well, that is a voltage source, and must not be plugged into the home outlets.What will happen?You will get a current surge as all devices that have 220, will instantly be energized to 240, and depending what is on the other end of the 220 will now absorb the current, and want to be running at 240.You have not specified if this is a LOAD at 240, or a SOURCE at 240 that you are plugging into the 220 socket (A reverse plug, or cheater cord).A plug to plug arrangement is highly dangerous, since if you had another source of power supplying 240 volts AC, and if you got the timing wrong, you would burn out your MCB and damage your generator.You could have a spark of 460 volts flash between the posts, and the current in the generator would go up to 1,000 amperes, and possibly ‘weld’ the contacts together with such a high voltage, making the generator Circuit breaker inoperable, then melt your home wiring, and cause fire in house