Electric systems in different regions

Reloadron

Joined Jan 15, 2015
7,891
For the most part the standard NEMA connectors run through 30 Amp service (AWG-10 wire gauge). While 50 Amp 240 VAC and 480 VAC connectors are common they simply are not NEMA rated or NEMA standard which really means nothing. Several hundred amp connectors are not unusual. Shore power connectors for recreational boats are one thing, shore power connectors for large war ships is another thing. Large Tractor Trailer trucks with Mega Watt generators are common and use some big connectors including twist lock flavors.
The NEMA 50A connectors are not available probably, only California 50A connectors with ground pins and surface, are they twist-locking too? In Europe connectors are installed with the bigger amperages in case. like instead 15 or 16 amp is 30-32 amp
California and NY are a few good reasons and examples of places not to live but that is another story for another day. :)

Ron
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
30,681
Several decades ago the UK company I worked for, the British Motor Corp, was impacted by a new California law regarding pollution due to the smog problem, The cars exported to Calif. had to have S.S. exhaust material, which required some degree of re-tooling.
This was followed a decade or so later in 1972 with mandatory catalytic convertors.
Max.
 

Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
That makes no sense!
Europe has identical 1ph cap-start/cap-run motors for the same reason.
Both EU and N.A. have 1ph and use the identical motors, and when 3ph is present in either location again identical 3ph motors are used.
Max.
You were right Max, I've explained it wrong, I meant that by 3-phase, the current from distribution is spread out from 1 phase on 3 phases, like instead 5 Amp on wire it's 2,9 Amp on every of 3 wires,
 
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Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
I've obsereved that some schemes from european electric distribution could fit quite well to areas with adversive ground, like I'm living in Carpathian Mountains region, it is very visibly here that the electrification, telecommunication and spreading of human growth were made in different periods of time, and from that comes lower altitudes of electric poles which are separated for medium, low, high voltage or sometimes also for telephone, sometimes this is 2 or 3 based on each other on the light angle. So for example medium or even high voltage are hanged pretty low, so the poles are low too. I remember the period several times ago with heavy rainfall, and the soil on the hills becames wet and began to displace (this is also dangerous for houses places on hill-slopes). One of the poles near the river with medium voltage started to tilt because of the wet soil and stretched the lines. The pole was actually exchanged because it was from old fragile concrete but I'm afraid if very high n.american pole, with many lines and transfomers hanged on would falls down, it would need to be pounded very deeply or be very thick. That's of course only my observition but that solution could be helpful, maybe somewhere in Rocky Mountains, what do You think?,
Regards, Matt
 
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Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
If it's split-phase 240/480v between neutral and hot wire it's 240v not like typical for households split (between 120 and 120 v), do exist in N.America appliances dedicated for 240v-0v circuits? and what connectors are usedfor them NEMA 6, or IEC ? Regards
 

MaxHeadRoom

Joined Jul 18, 2013
30,681
They are NEMA style outlets, after 2000 it was required that domestic appliances such as dryers have a 4 pin outlet (include a neutral) , prior to this a 3 pin was allowed.
Max.
 

Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
They are NEMA style outlets, after 2000 it was required that domestic appliances such as dryers have a 4 pin outlet (include a neutral) , prior to this a 3 pin was allowed.
Max.
and 240v circuits with only one hot pole, neutral and optionally with ground, (like in europe) do exist like that?
 
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Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
I've looked on whole electricity You know, I know these voltages are only in the industry and commercial buildings, but sometimes they also unexpectedly appear near the households when somebody have workshop next door from house I think
 
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Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
Are in N.America sometimes used different breakers than common, like these "international" 16, 32, 63 amps, like for example when current exeeds a little 30 amps, could 32 A breaker be helpful to keep the circuit on? Regards
 

Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
oh I see, yes 25 amps is good when 20 is not enough and 30 is too much, but it would be probably 30 A connector, there's not many 25 amp receptacles I think, probably Australian 25 A, ThankYou for answer, I'm still pulling this threat because there's really lot of differences between the different continents
 

Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
Do You think is that problem that N.American plug known in the world also as "A" and "B" type which fits to "international" socket where is mostly at least that 200v not 100v, also like in Philipines where is the same receptacles but 220 volts, have You heard that people from N.America have problems with that, because it could be dangerous
 

Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
If it's split-phase 240/480v between neutral and hot wire it's 240v not like typical for households split (between 120 and 120 v), do exist in N.America appliances dedicated for 240v-0v circuits?
and if it's 600v single phase, the circuits are rather 600v-0v or split phase 300v-300v ?
 

Thread Starter

Maciek Gromek

Joined May 8, 2017
72
Welcome to AAC!
Personally, I feel safer working with 120VAC than with 240VAC. I've seen people literally knocked off their feet when contacting 240VAC.
Our typical circuit breakers are 15A and most hairdryers I've seen are 1000-1500W; so there is no issue when the hairdryer isn't run with too many other appliances at the same time on the same circuit.
Size doesn't matter. Standard breaker sizes are still 15A. For higher current, they can use 20A, but the wire needs to be sized accordingly.
That's generally not a problem in developed countries and appliances are designed to work with the typical voltage variation.
ThankYou for these crucial informations
 
and if it's 600v single phase, the circuits are rather 600v-0v or split phase 300v-300v ?
I THINK the highest single phase voltage used is 277, but it's derived from a 3 phase Y system. I don't think there is any point to it.

I was privy to a guided tour of down below of what controls the massive greenhouses and water displays here: https://longwoodgardens.org/events-and-performances/events/production-greenhouse-insider-tour

I think the voltage was around 5000 Volts below. It's a really massive place, below on the surface and below the surface. Below the surface tours don't exist to the public.
 
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