The US electrical system is not 120V
Technology Connections4 HN recommenders · recommended in 4 months, 2021–2026
explainer · intro · evergreen · 2021–2026 on HN
Technology Connections explains that US household power is split-phase, with two 120V legs that combine to 240V for large appliances. It covers the breaker panel and how the system works.
HN commenters point to it to correct misconceptions about US voltage and to explain 240V availability in American homes.
Up next
2 mo on HN2017/08/08: James Damore and his Google Memo on Diversity (complete)
Jordan B Peterson
8 HN recommender · 2017–2018
12 mo on HNMechanical Computer (All Parts) - Basic Mechanisms In Fire Control Computers
Excelsior10000
13 HN recommender · 2014–2025
15 mo on HNHeat Pumps: the Future of Home Heating
Technology Connections
17 HN recommender · 2021–2026
11 mo on HNJames Burke Connections, Ep. 1 "The Trigger Effect"
DRS_Education
12 HN recommender · 2019–2026
8 mo on HNWhy Heat Pumps are Immensely Important Right Now
Technology Connections
9 HN recommender · 2022–2023
7 mo on HNWhat Really Happened During the Texas Power Grid Outage?
Practical Engineering
6 HN recommender · 2021–2026
7 mo on HNIt’s Time To Break Up With Our Gas Stoves | Climate Town
Climate Town
10 HN recommender · 2021–2025
6 mo on HNGround Source / Geothermal Heat Pumps and Other Info
Technology Connections
6 HN recommender · 2021–2026
5 mo on HNHeat Pumps are Not Hard: Here's what it will take to start pumping
Technology Connections
5 HN recommender · 2022–2023
5 mo on HNConnecting Solar to the Grid is Harder Than You Think
Practical Engineering
4 HN recommender · 2024–2025
5 mo on HNWhy don't Americans use electric kettles?
Technology Connections
5 HN recommender · 2022–2025
5 mo on HNWhat Is A Black Start Of The Power Grid?
Practical Engineering
6 HN recommender · 2022–2025
8 comments from Hacker News
Huh, what?! Mega TIL moment for me as an Australian with an electric kettle and dryer plugged into whatever power socket I wish! Reminds me of this great Technology Connections video: ▶ this video
Single family homes in America are 240v rails for large appliances, like stoves/ovens, furnaces, and dryers (two-phase). Technology Connections (YouTube) explains this fairly well: > ▶ this video
There's a lot of misconceptions about US electricity. This video does a nice job at pointing out the good and the bad. ▶ this video
Relevant video: Technology Connections, "The US electrical system is not 120V", where there is a (long) discussion of how the breaker panel works and how you get 240V. ▶ this video
> Also our infra not being 240v is hurting us. The rest of the world can just plug in overnight to any regular outlet and it is good enough for almost any commute. US homes don't need any significant accommodations for 240 volt infra. Plenty of US home appliances are already 240 volt; this is a solved problem. ▶ this video
A 2022 Technology Connections video explores various ways to boil water: link And a 2020 video about different voltages in the US electrical systems: ▶ this video
The US (and CA) runs on 240V as well, it's just split in half for smaller appliances. See requisite Technology Connections video: * ▶ this video My stove and clothes dryer are certainly not 120V.
There's probably a large overlap between software people and people who subscribe to Technology Connections: ▶ this video