On 4/5/2017 8:43 PM, Martin Gregorie wrote:
> On Wed, 05 Apr 2017 18:28:00 +1200, Bill McGarrity wrote:
>
>> -=> rickman wrote to All on 04-05-17 17:07 <=-
>>
>>  ri> That is another smart thing the UK does.  In the US circuits are
>>  ri> typically 15 amps which can safely be carried over 16 gauge wire.
>>  So ri> every device that plugs into an AC outlet uses 16 gauge wire
>>  even if it ri> only draws less than an amp.
>>
>> US code for house wiring is 14 gauge for 15a circuits and 12 gauge for
>> 20a service. Distance is also a factor in determining both wire gauge
>> and service amps (600ft for 14/3 [15a] and 800ft for 12/3 [20a]).
>>
> One thing that really worried me when I was living there was the way
> cables to the more energy-intensive appliances heated up during normal
> use when laid out across a floor. That was something I wasn't used to
> feeling.
>
> Of course, 110v has a lot to answer for there: in the UK a 3kw heater or
> power tool draws 12.5A, just under the 13A limit for standard plugs, but
> a 3kw appliance will draw 27.25A in the USA - and its amps, not volts,
> that melts or burns insulation off a cable.

In the US a 3 kW appliance will run on 240 volts.  We have 15 amp 120
volt circuits normally and you can have a 20 amp 120 volt circuit with a
slightly different socket which will also accept the 15 amp plugs, but
they are not common.  If you need more than about 1.5 kW you use a 240
volt outlet with currents starting at 15 amp I believe.

--

Rick C

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