"paul packer" wrote in message
oups.com...

Trevor Wilson wrote:
**Facts are facts. Pretty much most parts of the world have regulations
which make your 'tweak' illegal. Here in Australia (and, I would assume
in
every other 220-240VAC nation), the regulations surrounding electrical
equipment is quite clear. Either an item must carry a thrid wire (for
earthing) or the equipment must be double insulated. And the ridiculous
American habit (surely no longer practised) of connecting neutral to
chassis
via a large value resistor is absolutely not allowed. In fact, this
nonsensical idea is the major cause of hum problems.

Probably a stupid question, Trevor, but why are there different
voltages in different countries?

**I don't know. There are many possible reasons I can think of and a few I
can't. Here's a few possibilities:

* The US was the first nation with mains wiring. It was DC (direct current).
It is possible that the abitrarily chosen Voltage (something Edison was well
known for) then had to be matched to an appropriate AC Voltage.
* Lower mains Voltages are more lossy, so other nations probably chose
220-240VAC to overcome losses associated with long distance transmission.
*Other nations wanted to be different to the US.


If the US can power its appliances
quite happily with 110V and enjoy a much lower risk of electrocution,
why do we have 240V?

**Not quite. Here in Australia, we can happily power quite large air
conditioners, heaters and other appliances with a standard power outlet.
Americans cannot, without resorting to multi-phase operation, or 'special'
240 VAC outlets. I suspect that, given what is known now, the US would have
made the chose for a higher mains Voltage.


(BTW, this question comes from someone who's been zapped many times!)


**Be careful Paul. After you get electrocuted, there is oblivion. There are
no second chances (life after death). :-)


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au