In the USA, by and large, homes are supplied with 240v with a neutral in the middle. So each phase is 120v. And we can access 240 by simply going across both phases. Literally every house I’ve ever been in my whole life has had 240v to the panel, including ones built before anyone on Lemmy was born.
The only places this isn’t true was a couple of large apartment complex I lived in for few years where it was 360 to the complex 208 to the unit and 115v on each phase.
If you took out the neutral, we’d have 240 exactly like Europe. In theory (definitely not within code), on 90+% of houses in the USA, you could just wire the neutral to the opposite phase as live that the circuit is already on and get the full 240v to every outlet in the house (DO NOT FUCKING DO THIS). Each phase that we have only exists in the context of the neutral, and the neutral is strictly optional(though common) in the context of things like high draw devices.
As far as your aluminum comment… First, why aren’t you saying “aluminium” if you’re not (seemingly) American? But you realize that aluminum works perfectly fine for power delivery right? The EU uses aluminum in places too…
“Europe’s energy transition is about one thing, more renewable power production, and the power produced must be transported over long distances. Aluminium is crucial for transporting electricity to where it is needed. By expanding the capacity to deliver low-carbon aluminium from Norway to the EU, we help ensure that the infrastructure, the very backbone of the future energy system, supports both Europe’s security and climate policy goals," says Kallevik.
Edit: LMAO downvoted for actual facts. Here you go mr aussie.zone user that also clearly doesn’t understand the USA electrical system, https://youtu.be/jMmUoZh3Hq4
Well it tickles me most that the username of the person who downvoted me is directly electrical engineering related… They should have understood everything I said and realized it was accurate.
Except that we have 240v?
Why do people overseas keep getting this wrong?
In the USA, by and large, homes are supplied with 240v with a neutral in the middle. So each phase is 120v. And we can access 240 by simply going across both phases. Literally every house I’ve ever been in my whole life has had 240v to the panel, including ones built before anyone on Lemmy was born.
The only places this isn’t true was a couple of large apartment complex I lived in for few years where it was 360 to the complex 208 to the unit and 115v on each phase.
If you took out the neutral, we’d have 240 exactly like Europe. In theory (definitely not within code), on 90+% of houses in the USA, you could just wire the neutral to the opposite phase as live that the circuit is already on and get the full 240v to every outlet in the house (DO NOT FUCKING DO THIS). Each phase that we have only exists in the context of the neutral, and the neutral is strictly optional(though common) in the context of things like high draw devices.
As far as your aluminum comment… First, why aren’t you saying “aluminium” if you’re not (seemingly) American? But you realize that aluminum works perfectly fine for power delivery right? The EU uses aluminum in places too…
https://www.hydro.com/en/global/media/news/2025/hydro-invests-nok-1.65-billion-to-supply-europes-electric-infrastructure-with-low-carbon-aluminium
Edit: LMAO downvoted for actual facts. Here you go mr aussie.zone user that also clearly doesn’t understand the USA electrical system, https://youtu.be/jMmUoZh3Hq4
People only see what their outlet provides. If you ask someone about the european voltage, they’ll probably say “220-230V”, not " 3-phase 400V".
Well, I could be wrong here, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a European outlet that did more than the 220-230v…
We’re not talking about three phase setups here… Residential in the USA is commonly 120/240. Not just 120.
If we’re going to talk 3-phase comparisons… then you’ll see all number of setups, but the most common would be 120/208, where 3 phases are wye tapped.
But in a typical USA home you can and will find 240 volt outlets for ranges, stoves, dryers, etc… We have outlets that provide 240.
There are special 3-phase connectors, but usually only in the kitchen (for an electric range)
Because they like dunking on the USA, your explanation doesn’t support that narrative … so nyaaaaaah
Well it tickles me most that the username of the person who downvoted me is directly electrical engineering related… They should have understood everything I said and realized it was accurate.
But instead
hurr durr American!