In the world there are more than a hundred ways to connect electrical appliances to the network. There are a huge number of plugs and sockets. It is also necessary to take into account that in each country there is a special voltage, frequency and current strength. This can turn into a serious problem for tourists. But this issue is relevant today not only for those who like to travel. Some, making repairs in an apartment or house, intentionally install standard sockets of other countries. One of them is an American outlet. It has its own characteristics, disadvantages and advantages. Today, there are only 13 standards for sockets and plugs that are used in different countries of the world. Let's consider some of them.
Two frequency and voltage standards
It would seem, why do we need so many standards and types of electrical elements? But keep in mind that there are different voltage standards in the network. Many do not know that in the domestic electrical network of the countries of North America they use not traditional 220 V, as in Russia and the CIS, but 120 V. But this was not always the case. Until the 60s, household voltage was 127 volts throughout the Soviet Union. Many will ask why this is so. As you know, the amount of electrical energy consumed is constantly growing. Previously, except for light bulbs in apartments and houses, there were simply no other consumers.
Everything that each of us plugs into the outlet every day — computers, televisions, microwave ovens, boilers — did not exist then and appeared much later. When power grows, it is necessary to increase the voltage. A greater current entails overheating of the wires, and with them certain losses for this heating. This is serious. In order to avoid these unnecessary losses of precious energy, it was necessary to increase the cross section of the wire. But it is very difficult, long and expensive. Therefore, it was decided to increase the voltage in the networks.
The Times of Edison and Tesla
Edison was a supporter of direct current. He believed that such a current was convenient for work. Tesla believed in the benefits of variable frequency. In the end, two scientists began to practically fight each other. By the way, this war ended only in 2007, when the United States switched to alternating current in household networks. But back to Edison. He created the production of incandescent bulbs with carbon-based filament. The voltage for the optimal operation of these lamps was 100 V. He added another 10 V for losses in conductors and at his power plants he took 110 V for the operating voltage. That is why the American outlet was designed for 110 V. For a long time, then in the States and then in other countries that worked closely with the United States adopted 120 V as the standard voltage. The current frequency was 60 Hz. But electric networks were created in such a way that two phases and a "neutral" were connected to the houses. This made it possible to obtain 120 V when using phase voltages or 240 in the case of linear voltages.
Why two phases?
It's all about the generators that created electricity for the whole of America.
They were biphasic until the end of the 20th century. Weak consumers were connected to
phase voltage , and more powerful ones were converted to linear voltages.
60 Hz
This is entirely the merit of Tesla. It happened back in 1888. He worked closely with J. Westinghouse, including the development of generators. They argued a lot and for a long time about the optimal frequency - the opponent insisted on choosing one of the frequencies in the range from 25 to 133 Hz, however, Tesla stood firmly on his idea and the figure of 60 Hz fit into the system as much as possible.
Benefits
Among the advantages of this frequency, lower costs can be distinguished in the process of manufacturing an electromagnetic system for transformers and generators. Therefore, equipment for this frequency has significantly smaller dimensions and weight. By the way, the lamps practically do not flicker. An American power outlet in the United States is much better suited for powering computers and other equipment that requires good power.
Sockets and Standards
Two main standards for frequency and voltage are common in the world.
One of them is American. This voltage is 110-127 V at a frequency of 60 Hz. And as a plug and socket, standard A and B are used. The second type is European. Here the voltage is 220-240 V, the frequency is 50 Hz. The European outlet is mainly SM.
Type A
These species are widespread only in the North and Central parts of America. They can also be found in Japan. However, there are some differences between them. The Japanese have two pins parallel to each other and flat with the same size. The American outlet is a little different. And the plug to her, respectively, too. Here one pin is wider than the second. This is done taking into account that the correct polarity is constantly observed when connecting electrical appliances. Indeed, previously the current in American networks was constant. These sockets were also called Class II. Tourists say that plugs from Japanese technology work without problems with American and Canadian sockets. But to connect these elements on the contrary (if the American plug) does not work. Need a suitable adapter for the outlet. But usually people just file a wide pin.
Type B
These types of devices are used only in Canada, the USA and Japan. And if devices of type “A” were intended for low-power equipment, then mainly powerful household appliances with consumption currents up to 15 amperes are included in such sockets.
In some catalogs, such an American plug or socket can be designated as Class I or NEMA 5-15 (this is already an international designation). Now they have almost completely replaced Type A. In the US, only “B” is used. But in old buildings you can still find the old American outlet. It does not have a contact responsible for connecting the ground. In addition, the US industry has long been manufacturing appliances with modern plugs. But this does not prevent the use of new electrical appliances in old houses. Resourceful Americans in this case simply cut off or destroy the grounding contact so that it does not interfere and it can be connected to an old type socket.
About the appearance and differences
Who purchased an iPhone from the United States knows very well what an American outlet looks like. It has its own characteristics. The socket consists of two flat holes or slots. In devices of a new type, an additional grounding contact is provided below.
Also, so that there are no errors, one pin of the plug is made wider than the other. The Americans decided not to change this approach, and in the new outlets they left everything the same. The contacts on the plug are not pins like a European socket. It is rather a plate. There may be holes at their ends.
How to operate American equipment in the CIS countries
It happens that people bring equipment from the States and want to use it in Europe or Russia. And they are faced with a problem - the outlet does not fit the plug. And what to do? You can replace the cord with a standard European, but this is not an option for everyone. For those who are not versed in technology and have never held a soldering iron in their hands, it is recommended to purchase an adapter for an outlet. There are many of them - they are all different in quality and price. If you plan a trip to the USA, then you should stock up on adapters in advance. There they can cost five or more dollars. If you order in the online store, you can save up to half the cost. It should also be noted that even in US hotels, all sockets go under the American standard - it doesn’t matter that most of the people who stay are foreign tourists.
Therefore, before the trip, you must definitely buy and take an adapter with you. But it happens and vice versa - an American comes, say, to France. And so he wants to go to his Facebook in the evening, share photos and impressions with friends and family. He "pokes" his Macbook power supply into the outlet, but, of course, nothing happens.
In this case, an adapter from an American outlet to a European one could help him. The same applies to equipment purchased in the United States. If you don’t feel like soldering, you can purchase an inexpensive Chinese-made adapter and fully use electric devices, charge your phone or tablet on a non-standard outlet. There are no other options.
Summary
They say that it’s impossible to understand Russia with the mind, but in the USA it’s not so simple either. You can’t just come and use American-style sockets with European or any other plugs. Therefore, adapters should be taken on the road, and they must be ordered in advance. This greatly saves time and money.