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The real reason why North America uses 120v instead of 240v.
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PlainName:

--- Quote from: Monkeh on November 24, 2022, 10:15:44 pm ---And I agree that it isn't easy to draw conclusions from the data - but I find it unlikely that the most commonly accessible voltage is in fact safer when fatalities are 20-30x higher for only 6x the population.

--- End quote ---

The UK stats are all W86 ("Exposure to other specified electric current") and W87 (""Exposure to unspecified electric current"), and roughly half are "Trade and service area" and "Industrial and construction area". So they are likely 240V but with a high probability of 120V (constructions, etc). There is W85 ("Exposure to electric transmission lines") which doesn't appear in the stats, so we are talking all low voltage.

By contrast, the US stats include people snipping primary distribution lines (5+kV). Their stats include much higher voltages than the UK ones. If there is any question, it is why the UK seems not to have had any high voltage fatalities (unless the selected stats excludes them, in which case it's apple vs oranges).
Monkeh:

--- Quote from: PlainName on November 26, 2022, 01:22:08 am ---
--- Quote from: Monkeh on November 24, 2022, 10:15:44 pm ---And I agree that it isn't easy to draw conclusions from the data - but I find it unlikely that the most commonly accessible voltage is in fact safer when fatalities are 20-30x higher for only 6x the population.

--- End quote ---

The UK stats are all W86 ("Exposure to other specified electric current") and W87 (""Exposure to unspecified electric current"), and roughly half are "Trade and service area" and "Industrial and construction area". So they are likely 240V but with a high probability of 120V (constructions, etc). There is W85 ("Exposure to electric transmission lines") which doesn't appear in the stats, so we are talking all low voltage.

By contrast, the US stats include people snipping primary distribution lines (5+kV). Their stats include much higher voltages than the UK ones. If there is any question, it is why the UK seems not to have had any high voltage fatalities (unless the selected stats excludes them, in which case it's apple vs oranges).

--- End quote ---

The W85 numbers are.. minimal. 2 in 2013, 4 in 2014, 3 in 2016, 6 in 2017 (rough year.), 2 in 2018, 2 in 2019, 2 in 2021.
AVGresponding:

--- Quote from: TimFox on November 25, 2022, 03:57:58 pm ---
--- Quote from: mcovington on November 25, 2022, 03:51:06 pm ---
--- Quote from: themadhippy on November 25, 2022, 01:31:47 pm ---
--- Quote ---Why not have 120V be 2x 60V to ground? Wouldn't that be the safest way to have 120V?
--- End quote ---
We do in the uk.ok its 55-0-55v ,it mainly used on construction sites.

--- End quote ---

Interesting.  With American-type 120V tools?

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I encountered the 110 VCT transformers during an installation in UK:  it seems to be mandated when a long extension cord is required from the wall to a power tool.
The connectors used are quite different from normal UK or US plugs.
The local workers did not use these extra transformers very often, using cordless power tools (battery operated) when possible to meet the safety regulations.

--- End quote ---

Generally speaking, 240V tools are not permitted on construction sites, regardless of cable length. Using battery tools is usually a matter of convenience, but for heavier tasks, the leaded 110V stuff gets used. Better to put wear on the gearbox of the hired SDS hammer drill than my own battery one!
PlainName:

--- Quote ---The W85 numbers are.. minimal. 2 in 2013, 4 in 2014, 3 in 2016...
--- End quote ---

One interpretation might be that the higher the voltage the safer it is! But I think it's more likely that anyone going near that stuff is trained to a high standard and using equipment appropriate to the environment.
mcovington:
A couple of thoughts:

- Maybe people working on 240V are more careful.

- The US has more sparsely populated places, farms, and (presumably) DIYers.
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