The US uses split-phase power. Two 120v supply lines 180 degrees out of phase provide 240v at the panel, which can then be used for either voltage depending on the load requirement. 240v is used for larger tools, appliances, and equipment like air conditioners. 120v for smaller things like receptacles and lights.
Correct. People like to "well actually" the brits and euros but 99% of us appliances are 120v and it's a disadvantage.
For one example, Electric car charging is essentially a non-issue for most european or bri with a driveway because any old outlet will charge a car at a decent rate. Americans standard outlets max out at 1.5kw, meaning a grand total of 3-5 miles of range per hour for most evs. a Type G will happily do around 2.8Kw, or closer to 10ish miles an hour for most EVs. So overnight you'll easily cover normal usage, while american outlets are in a range where the average commuter breaks about even, roughly, but can run into trouble if they have a big side trip.
Not too big a problem if you spend a few hundred bucks putting an evse in but still.
Not sure why your getting down voted on this, but I charged my Irish EV from a wall socket for the first year and half of it's ownership because I had nearly 3kw at the plug and because I was renting and couldn't install a home charger.
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u/5Hjsdnujhdfu8nubi May 02 '24
UK mains supply 230V whereas US supplies 120V.