110 v

[lor]

please can someone explain why builders use 110v onsite
If it is because it is much safer then why do we not use it in the home instead of 230v (like America)?

 

[RF Lighting]

It is used because it is safer, and it is supplied by a special CTE transformer, which means if you are to touch a broken wire then there is only a potential of 55v (half of 110V)

This is not used in the home as every house would require a large transformer humming away, you have to use thicker (more expensive) cables if you use a lower voltage, and you are limited by shorter maximum cable runs.

Also the risk of fixed wiring becomind damaged in the home is much lower than an extention lead strung across a building site.

 

[Spark123]

110v is used to lower the risk of a fatal shock. The 110v on sites referred to as reduced low voltage usually consists of a feed from a centre tapped earth transformer giving an output of 55v-0v-55v. This means the maximum shock someone should recieve is 55v to earth. The reasons I can think of for not adopting this method now would be the sheer size and expense of the process of the conversion.

Beaten by RF!!

 

[Adam_151]

110v is bad enough to handle for volt drop and current carrying capacity POV ...

16A outlets that only deliver 1.7kw mean the us generally favours coffee pots that keep warm over the traditional british kettle, etc

...but ELFI on 55v....

Overall its just not practical

The US actually uses 220v with a centre tap for neutral earth for domestic use, outlets are 110v, and large fixed loads such as cooking appliances and airconditioners are 220V (and in industrial they often add two more phases, one more wire and have a 220v delta system)