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Why Balcony Solar Panels Haven’t Taken Off in the US
(www.wired.com)
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this post was submitted on 20 May 2025
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Tl;dr: Because we haven't created a safety standard for it.
!savedyouaclick@lemmy.world
Safety standards? Sounds like anti-profit standards! Guess who DOGE is cutting next!
Oh, America? The one still clinging to 110V (thus more current) and in some cases using aluminum wires? The one where safety standards are for wussies? Yeah I wonder why.
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)
American electrical systems are split phase 240V. If you want 240V, you just connect between both halves of the phase.
America has a lot of stupid, but the majority our electrical systems are very much NOT one of them.
I mean, your outlets definitely are, compared to what we have as a standard.
I will take Technology Connections' opinion on it over yours, but yes having two pin outlets where if you start plugging it in the live connection is exposed during the process is very much stupid
Except with proper arc and ground fault protection on a circuit, which is mandatory on basically everything in North America now, you could half insert a plug and stick your tongue to it without getting a shock.
He did day that about our plugs a lot. Maybe you would you like a link to the technology connections video saying basically exactly what @chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world said about our split phase 120/240 setup then?
https://youtu.be/jMmUoZh3Hq4
And that's better than 3 Phase 230V in what way?
Lower voltage is less deadly.
Having a multi grounded approach provides multiple layers of safety for shorts.
Just to name a few.
If Voltage of AC is above 50V, it will break your skin and then the current and time kills you.
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2020/02/killer-current-voltage.html
Multiple grounds? There's only one ground. You're walking on it.
120V/240V, Split-Phase – Center-tapped
120V/208V, 3-Phase – Wye
120V / 208V & 240V, High Leg – Delta
https://www.electricaltechnology.org/2023/03/standard-voltage-levels-in-us.html
Neutral and Ground are bonded at the first point of disconnect, which provides two paths to ground in the event a ground is lost was my point. Not that there are somehow "two Earth's".
It's the same with 3 Phases, as seen in the source I provided.
Neutral doesn’t work as an extra safety line, because it's connected to neutral in the device, not to ground.
Maybe dont make ridiculous claims when you don't know what youre talking about. I hope you arent an electrician.
The majority of the rest of the world has 220-230v per phase, with three phases. using all three phases gives you access to ~400v
Most of Norway (my house included) is still stuck on IT, so 230V phase/phase.
The only place it really sucks is for modern induction hobs where 25A @ 230V is a bit low (5,75 kW, max on mine is 7,2 kW) and the EV charge box (3,6 kW or 7,2 kW max instead of 11 or 22 kW).
They are however changing to TN for new areas.
Upside is that the earth current will be very small when you have a fault, so the system can function with it. I believe this is why critical institutions like hospitals run IT and not TN/TT.
Yes, and where I work the HV line is several times that.
What? America has one of the most unsafe electrical systems in the world. You might as well just stick two unshielded wires out of the wall and be done with it, it would actually be more convenient about the same level of safety.
As for crossing the phases, yes you can do that but how many outlets are actually set up like that, you certainly won't find an outlook configured like that in a bedroom. Each household probably only has one or two 240 volt outlets.
Neither 110VAC or 240VAC is inherently more dangerous as long as the system is paired with the right gauge of wire. As for personal safety, both are more than capable of killing you regardless of amperage. 240VAC may even be a little more capable because it can push more current through the resistance of your body.
I’ll admit, American plugs/outlets leave a lot to be desired, but it’s not any more dangerous because of the higher current.
Yeah I mean, there are ish 130 million households in the US. If your way of doing up wiring was so bad, you'd have fires everywhere all the time.
It's just a different way of doing it. Not better or worse, inherently.
The only thing I thoroughly dislike that you guys do are wire nuts. I know I will piss of some American sparkies, but holy fudge they are crappy. When even the professionals can mess it up by twisting poorly/wrong, it's bound to cause issues for less experienced people. Just use WAGO's.
#SorryNotSorry!!