110v 220v definitions WHY?

[Pansatonic]

So many very informed contributors using 110v resp 220v when discussing boat AC electrics? I dont know any country domestic grid using it as domestic standard.

Most use 120v resp 230v and have so for many many years.

Many good threads with what seems to be extremly informed persons, but then they write 110v or 220v? Why?

Im am truly curious.

[a64pilot]

It’s just nomenclature, US residential power supply is really 120 plus or minus about 10, so many call it 110, or 120.
220 or 230 I assume are the same.

It even carries to DC systems, just about everyone calls it either 12V or 24 V, when in fact it’s really either a 14V or 28V system, but will of course operate within a plus or minus variation.

Even the battery itself is actually arguably a 13V battery, most are pretty much deeply discharged at 12V.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

220 or 230 I assume are the same.

Indeed, actually the server at work is running at 236v today and we had 242v on the boat at the weekend, though the accuracy of the little portable electric meter may not be 100%.

Pete

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, truly curious.

[ttex]

People in Texas love saying 110/220. It just rolls off the tongue.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Indeed, actually the server at work is running at 236v today and we had 242v on the boat at the weekend, though the accuracy of the little portable electric meter may not be 100%.



Pete

At the boat I’m 124 now, usually about 126 but it’s cold and heat pumps are drawing it down a bit. So much for 110.
When it becomes to matter is when people start trying to set their generators voltages to 110 or 220 not knowing any better, they aren’t leaving much room at all for voltage sag.

[Pansatonic]

Ok my first post is a little toung in cheek reflection.

I have electrical background but little marine product knowledge. Im am intrested in the cons and pros in different designs for seasonal Us/Carib EU cruising.

So with that the thread "How can I run a European system (50hz 240v) in America (60hz 120v)?" is very intresting.

But all the 110v,115v, 120v, 220v, 230v and even the title 240v european standard reference, it must be a head exploding experience for a casual cruiser

Even i need to re read to make sure i understand what is "really" discussed. Does it need to be so hard talking about the same thing?

[Frank 101]

Australia is 240. No ever says anything different. I’m currently in Uganda and people say either 220 or 240, but mostly 240. However, the actual can vary from 180 to 280, but is generally around 230 where I am.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

It’s just nomenclature, US residential power supply is really 120 plus or minus about 10, so many call it 110, or 120.
220 or 230 I assume are the same.

It even carries to DC systems, just about everyone calls it either 12V or 24 V, when in fact it’s really either a 14V or 28V system, but will of course operate within a plus or minus variation.

Even the battery itself is actually arguably a 13V battery, most are pretty much deeply discharged at 12V.

Will also depend on how you measure the voltage. Using a true RMS meter or a cheap, averaging or one could even potentially measure the peak voltage.

[blubaju]

Think all your questions are answered HERE:
https://www.worldstandards.eu/electr...ndard-voltage/

[wingless]

The US mains voltage has changed over time and location, including 110, 115 and 117 VAC.

The current standard US voltage is 120 VAC ±6% / 60 Hz ±3%. Products typically tolerate 90 to 135 VAC and 57 to 63 Hz, well beyond those ±6% and ±3% ranges.

[Pansatonic]

Originally Posted by Frank 101

Australia is 240. No ever says anything different. I’m currently in Uganda and people say either 220 or 240, but mostly 240. However, the actual can vary from 180 to 280, but is generally around 230 where I am.

Australia mains supply voltage as specified in AS 60038 (Year 2000) is 230V with an allowed tolerance of +10% -6%. However, 240V is within tolerance and is found but the standard since 19years is still 230V 50Hz.

Discussing desings and product choices in a cruising forum is with relation to deviations can not be of anyone generall intrest.

[valhalla360]

It's mostly a historical anomaly. They started with 110v, then as systems expanded, they bumped it up to 115v then 120v to compensate for greater distances and higher draws. They stopped when they started using step up and step down transformers to use much higher voltages (plus there were concerns about excessively high voltage in household use).

Europe and some other areas started later and immediately started at 220v and most eventually went thru a similar process stopping at 240v.

As mentioned, these are nominal voltages. Actual measured voltages will vary within tolerances.

The result, old timers never stopped saying 110v and as long as you are talking stationary grid based systems, all the electricians knew what they were talking about, so it introduced no confusion. Newbies with minimal understanding and no historical background are the only ones confused as a result.

[cyan]

https://youtu.be/iX3kxAA2L4Q

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by Pansatonic

Even i need to re read to make sure i understand what is "really" discussed. Does it need to be so hard talking about the same thing?

Not at all, if you stay in one country. Travel around even Europe as many of us have done and its a real pain even just changing plugs on every household item, never mind dealing with voltages and frequencies. What I did in the end was use lots of extension leads so you only have to change one plug. Fire risks? well lets not go there