On Thu, 06 Apr 2017 14:38:58 +0000, alister wrote:

> On Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:36:25 +0000, Martin Gregorie wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 05 Apr 2017 22:33:00 -0400, rickman wrote:
>>
>>> 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.
>>
>> Fair comment, but I still remember those hot (above blood heat) cables
>> on vacuum cleaners and all the warnings about not leaving power cables
>> coiled up.
>
> the reason for not leaving cables coiled up is because if you do you
> have just created a large & inefficient transformer

I think the makers of vacuum cleaners with spring-driven cable housings
should be told (Dyson, I'm looking at you).


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martin@   | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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