Re:North American versus European distribution systems (2011)
by 13of40 on Monday August 26, 2019 @09:27AM
(#20799676)
I can only speak for the west coast of the US, but in my experience, having lived in probably 35 or 40 different places, nearly every house has dedicated 240 volt outlets for things like ovens and clothes dryers. Where natural gas is available, it's primarily used for central heating and running the water heater. That isn't to say there aren't gas stoves here, but they're not especially common compared to electric ones.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:North American versus European distribution systems (2011)
by unclewaltr on Monday August 26, 2019 @09:43AM
(#20799794)
I agree, most appliances in the US run on 240 volts, but this is separate from 3 phase. Most households only wire up single phase electrics. Both can support 120v or 240v appliances, but appliances designed for 3 phase are more efficient in their energy use and less prone to overload your breaker.
Re:North American versus European distribution systems (2011)
by 13of40 on Monday August 26, 2019 @09:58AM
(#20799893)
Not trying to be snarky, but it seems like for an oven to be less efficient, it would need to be releasing energy as something other than heat.
Re:North American versus European distribution systems (2011)
by unclewaltr on Monday August 26, 2019 @10:26AM
(#20800101)
I was not referring to the efficiency of a specific appliance. I didn't mention an oven in my comment. Three phase distribution is more efficient and mechanical appliances designed for three phase can take advantage of that.