In message <de87437fe365cb458c265ea3d73b6f1d04c3f...@xbc-mail1.xantrex.com>, dated Mon, 20 Jul 2009, Ralph McDiarmid <ralph.mcdiar...@xantrex.com> writes:
>Is it common throughout Europe to distribute 3-phase power to >single-family homes? Not in UK. Elsewhere, yes, but I don't know about some countries, such as Portugal and Greece. > If so, why are single-family and duplex residences in North America >supplied with 120/240V single-phase? Well, there is an interminable argument over whether that's single phase or two phase, not that it matters. It seems that there are historical reasons. US decided to go for a low voltage, high current principle, while Europe went the other way, with a factor of 2. Maybe the difference in prices of copper in 1910 (?) was a factor? Or the Edison/Tesla controversy? Consistent with that, US distribution technique is to carry MV close to customers and feed only a few, at high current, from one MV/LV transformer. In Europe, MV/LV transformers are typically 500 MW and feed hundreds of customers. -- OOO - Own Opinions Only. Try www.jmwa.demon.co.uk and www.isce.org.uk Things can always get better. But that's not the only option. John Woodgate, J M Woodgate and Associates, Rayleigh, Essex UK - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <emc-p...@ieee.org> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to that URL. Website: http://www.ieee-pses.org/ Instructions: http://listserv.ieee.org/request/user-guide.html List rules: http://www.ieee-pses.org/listrules.html For help, send mail to the list administrators: Scott Douglas <emcp...@socal.rr.com> Mike Cantwell <mcantw...@ieee.org> For policy questions, send mail to: Jim Bacher: <j.bac...@ieee.org> David Heald: <dhe...@gmail.com>
