this post was submitted on 20 May 2025
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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.
American electrical systems have bonded neutrals and grounds at the point of disconnect, so in the event of a ground fault, there are multiple layers of safety involved.
Lower voltage by using half of a split phase 240V means shocks are less deadly.
Electrical code also requires Arc and Ground fault protection on all circuits.
The biggest advantages to European electrical systems are smaller and fewer conductors, due to higher voltage, and appliances like kettles can draw more watts as a result.
Both systems have advantages and disadvantages, but saying that American Electrical systems are "the most unsafe electrical systems in the world" is bullshit. Visit India where people regularly hook up unsanctioned taps to live power lines or Central America where they put electric hot water heaters literally in the shower, conductors and all, almost always by Handyman Juan who doesn't hook up any ground fault protection.
I've got one. My bedroom was designed to be able to use a 240v window air conditioner.
I don't actually need that, because the house was renovated with central air, but the outlet is still there.
I've got a 30a 240v outlet behind my stove, a 50a 240v outlet in my garage. I wired an 80a 240v circuit for my parents hot tub. We've got no shortage of power here.
The only thing that annoys me about the North American power grid is that we only have three phase in commercial and industrial settings. We don't bring three-phase power to the home.
You want to see stupid, go look at the ring circuits they play with on the UK grid. Completely unsafe.