News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Why does the USA use 110V and UK use 230-240V? by greggsy on Tuesday August 29, 2023 @11:07AM (#37309039)
The power companies know this, and time their cutovers from Europe with the end of Eastendets, which is when people turn on their kettle for a cup of tea before making dinner. (I’m not sure if that’s still a good hint, but it certainly was ten or so years ago.)
Re:Why does the USA use 110V and UK use 230-240V? by nickt on Tuesday August 29, 2023 @11:25AM (#37309321)
It’s called “TV pickup”, and Wikipedia has a good article explaining it, especially the bit about using pumped storage to meet demand in seconds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_pickup

Re:Why does the USA use 110V and UK use 230-240V? by iso1631 on Tuesday August 29, 2023 @11:42AM (#37309582)
Less important now. Back when 17 million would tune in to watch Coronation Street 3 times a week it was a much bigger thing. It's rare to get half that for legacy live TV outside of specific major broadcasts (The Euro 2020 final pulled in 30 million) -- the 10th most watched show of 2022 only got 8 million and the soaps are lucky to get 6 - inlcuding those watching time-shifted.
Re:Why does the USA use 110V and UK use 230-240V? by seanw444 on Tuesday August 29, 2023 @11:19AM (#37309211)
Tom Scott's video on this is interesting, as a side note.
Re:Why does the USA use 110V and UK use 230-240V? by nickt on Tuesday August 29, 2023 @11:28AM (#37309351)
Guy Martin did a good 3 part TV show earlier in the year

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/guy-martins-great-britis...