[Gllug] OT: Merging UPS outputs

[Peter Childs]

Chris Hunter wrote:

> Alain Williams wrote:
>
>> On Sun, Aug 21, 2005 at 11:39:10AM +0100, Chris Hunter wrote:
>>
>>> David Damerell wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Thursday, 18 Aug 2005, Richard Jones wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Why do we run 240 VAC through our houses anyway?  Surely all of these
>>>>> transformers and regulators must waste huge amounts of energy.
>>>>>  
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Er, what would you suggest instead?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> 55 Volts either side of earth is quite reasonable (like site power
>>> tools, and much of the Americas).  It's generally much safer, though
>>> heavier current devices usually require higher supply voltages -
>>> it's not uncommon for most domestic supplies to be 110V (55V either
>>> side of earth) with an additional 230V supply for washing machines,
>>> air conditioners and the like.
>>
>>
>>
>> Which means more complicated/expensive dual voltage supplies.
>> In the UK machinery that is likely to (accidentally) expose a user to
>> the
>> supply (ie building sites) usually runs at 110V --- which is why you see
>> the small yellow transformer boxes in such places.
>
>
> They seem to manage well enough in the Americas - the power outlets
> are different sizes, so you can't plug a 110V appliance into 230V. 
> The vast majority of domestic electronic appliances are built for 110V
> globally - there would actually be a small cost saving if the lower
> voltage specification was used throughout the world.
>
> Chris
>
>
>


    But think of the cost of converting and having two different supplies.
    240 is standard throughout most of Western Europe and change would
cause more problems, All I can't understand is why we have different
plugs in the UK and we can't have the same plugs and equipment
throughout the EU the quantity of equipment that you get with Euro Plugs
on is a pain.....

Peter Childs
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