Originally Posted by
Andy Booth
110,115,120 VAC are equivalent. Technically it can vary +/-10% and still be considered good. Voltage to your house will change over the course of a day.
The actual voltage depends on load, wire size, distance from the pole transformer and utility voltage. There is one hot wire (Typically the load and black wire) and one neutral.
The hot wire will measure 110/115/120 VAC to ground.
Neutral should measure 0V compared to ground. Both Hot and Neutral carry current.
Where does the neutral carry it to if the neutral is just fabricated in the panel as you state below?
208, 220, 230, & 240 VAC are also equivalent. The actual value depends on load, wire size, type of transformer and utility voltage level.
Both legs of 220 VAC are hot with respect to ground.
208 is a different animal, usually derived in 3 phase systems. May work some 240V tools but not all
My brain is wired to use 115V and 220V when I write.
The utility typically supplies 220V to the main service panel. The main service panel creates 115V by connecting the neutral to ground at the main panel.
No, it does not. The neutral is run from the transformer feeding the panel. It is not magically generated in the panel! If the panel can CREATE power... well nuff said.
The advantage of 220V is that the current is 1/2 of the equivalent 115V source.
I prefer 220V for all stationary power tools. The motor will run cooler and the lights will usually blink less.
Power consumption , HP, heat generated... all the same. Same voltage across, and amperage through, each motor winding
Voltage drop is current x resistance (IR) and thermal power loss is current x current x resistance (I^2R). Less current is good as it leads to less heating and voltage drop. Also wire size
True.
Proper 220V is no more difficult to run safely than 115V. The goal is to clearly identify that something is different and red tape is one way to indicate that the white wire is now hot.
Perhaps, as long as you don't need the neutral as well. However many appliances, and some tools do! PROPER is the key!
I am not going to go near the US/European 120/230V issue. I would love to have three phase in my house. Oh well...
Andy