In the US where they run on 110v how do they get on with cable sizes? I always understud that the lower the voltage the higher the current so their cables must be way larger than ours!?
Always Wondered
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That is correct they have higher current so greater fire risk. It is a balance between safety against electrocution and fire although we have had some deaths due to a 230v electric shock we also have a lower fire risk.
The US system is often split phase where two 110v supplies go into the house so high current items like the cooker are still supplied with 220 volts.
There are many odd systems including the "Hot Wire" with a delta output from the transformer. I got caught out in Algeria where they had a three phase 110 volt supply so the voltage phase to phase was 190 volt not 220 volt as with split phase so the air conditioner units were failing due to under voltage.
The other problem with split phase is the need for double pole switching and fusing which is why it can be dangerous to use US 110 volt equipment on a British building site as our 110v is really 55-0-55 and needs double pole protection.
The US system is often split phase where two 110v supplies go into the house so high current items like the cooker are still supplied with 220 volts.
There are many odd systems including the "Hot Wire" with a delta output from the transformer. I got caught out in Algeria where they had a three phase 110 volt supply so the voltage phase to phase was 190 volt not 220 volt as with split phase so the air conditioner units were failing due to under voltage.
The other problem with split phase is the need for double pole switching and fusing which is why it can be dangerous to use US 110 volt equipment on a British building site as our 110v is really 55-0-55 and needs double pole protection.
Heres one for you OP, when was the last time you saw a character in americian tv series or movie using an electric kettle? they all seem to have coffee makers instead!
At 16A and 110v I expect the reason they are rare over the pond is that no one would have the patience to wait for them to boil!
At 16A and 110v I expect the reason they are rare over the pond is that no one would have the patience to wait for them to boil!
Heres one for you OP, when was the last time you saw a character in americian tv series or movie using an electric kettle? they all seem to have coffee makers instead!
At 16A and 110v I expect the reason they are rare over the pond is that no one would have the patience to wait for them to boil!
Although there are 3KW kettles around, many here are around 1.2-1.8KW so not a lot different.
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The kettles seem to be either 5A or less designed for caravan use or around the 10A mark. I would agree the 3kW is rather rare now but they seem to jump from either 1.2kW to 2.3kW very few between the two sizes.
Because the voltage can vary from 220 to 240 often they are shown as 2.3 - 2.7kW or similar the element having a resistance of 21 ohms. This shows quite a large change in kW rating for what seems a small change in volts as the watts change is related to the square of the volts.
With 110 volt systems volt drop is more of a problem and with the kettle I have found with the low wattage versions designed for caravans getting the auto switch off to work with long power leads is a problem. So one would expect electric kettles for 110 volt may not have the auto switch off option.
Combine this all together and one can see why electric kettles are not so popular.
Because the voltage can vary from 220 to 240 often they are shown as 2.3 - 2.7kW or similar the element having a resistance of 21 ohms. This shows quite a large change in kW rating for what seems a small change in volts as the watts change is related to the square of the volts.
With 110 volt systems volt drop is more of a problem and with the kettle I have found with the low wattage versions designed for caravans getting the auto switch off to work with long power leads is a problem. So one would expect electric kettles for 110 volt may not have the auto switch off option.
Combine this all together and one can see why electric kettles are not so popular.
So across the pond is another kettle of fish then? 
A quick straw poll, from the ratings plate of our 6 kettles
2450 - 2700, old one in kitchen cupboard, just in case! - 1mm2
1850 - 2200, kitchen
10A, portable for clean sites
1450 - 1700, portable for dirty sites
1.2KW, workshop
1180 - 1700, 100 - 120v 1.5mm2
So a wider variation than I was expecting but power wise the bottom 3 would all be fine in US. I do find that the posh or high end kettles are still round the 3KW mark. I cant really say I have noticed much difference in performance with any of ours, except the 110 if the voltage gets below 100 [90ish is quite common on building sites making 900ish Watts], its auto switch off is fine & working the same as its 230V counterpart and I see no reason that should be a problem other than design as in the 'portable for dirty sites' above which is in fact why it was relegated to that position in the first place.
All of the above have 0.75mm2 flex unless stated... mmm
and of course the travel kettle,
800W 3A fuse in plug voltage 100 - 240 takes 10 mins to boil enough for 2 cups, only tried on 110V for one day and I'm convinced its not powerful enough to heat faster than the heat loss.
Does any one now if the only difference between the US 10A & 16A plugs is the earth pin?
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