Ohh! I spent some time in the U.S. and there are 230v mains available. They just have special plugs. All homes have 230v. It’s just not available through the happy face plug.
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antimidas@sopuli.xyz 1 week agoYep – US also doesn’t generally do residential three-phase unlike many countries in the EU. A lot of garages around here have 3x16A 230V, not (only) due to the power requirements but because having three phases allows for simplest induction motors for things like blowers and circular saws. When you have three phases having a proper outlet in the garage starts making sense.
Around here (Finland more specifically) we have three-phase even in most apartments. My two bedroom apartment has a 3x25A main breaker, and two devices on 3x16A circuit’s – the sauna stove and oven+stovetop. Most single-family homes have 3x25A or 3x36A as well.
US households are missing out on a lot of things due to their split-phase system.
mholiv@lemmy.world 1 week ago
antimidas@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
I might’ve been unclear, I don’t mean 230 V by itself, but three-phase distribution. The standard socket is labeled either 3x16A 230V or 380V by itself. Typically uses an IEC 60309 plug that looks like this:
Image (Source: www.plugsocketmuseum.nl/IEC60309_2.html)
Three phase has other benefits besides just more power, the US has it with their lower voltage as well, but typically reserved just for larger buildings.
IsoKiero@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
Which is really nice. No capacitors or other electronics needed. My old drill press has 750W 3-phase motor and it just works. Also having the power available gives options like running a 7kW log splitter with circular saw at the end of 20 meter long extension cord.