Username1
100 W
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2013
- Messages
- 168
Disclaimer: This thread is purely for fun and autistic contemplating!
I was thinking about home electrical, and what's best standard in theory if a country was starting from scratch, with similar power levels as today. Here's my idea (remember I'm no expert). What do you think, and let's hear your own ideas!
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Voltage and Type
I propose a single voltage of 100 VDC for a balance of safety and practicality. There should be very little chance of dying from 100 VDC, even with unfavorable factors like sweaty hands. Unlike AC, it requires you to touch both ends at once to get shocked, and it doesn't pulse meaning it's much less likely to stop your heart. 100 VDC is also high enough to feel but without significant pain, which is kind of a safety feature (you could touch >50 VDC and be unaware it's live).
Although this would require thicker wires, you'd only need 2 instead of 4 (no neutral or ground). So even though the wires need to be 2.4 times bigger (compared to 240v), you only need half as many, making it similar overall. I don't believe DC requires a ground wire, correct me if I'm wrong.
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Receptacles
Receptacles (and breakers) would be labeled by their continuous power rating, instead of the non-continuous amp rating used now. Currently all receptacles use dedicated circuits and single outlets with the exception of 120v (usually). I propose expanding this to all receptacles. This means you'd always know how full the circuit is without checking the household wiring and other receptacles. These features (combined with being DC power) would make home electrical extremely easy to understand (and even work on) for regular people.
1 kW and 2 kW together would replace the 120v receptacle, with the former being placed throughout the house, and the latter being placed in certain spots for low power appliances (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.). 4 kW and 8 kW would replace 30a/50a 240v receptacles for regular appliances. 16 kW would replace the (rarely used) 60a 240v receptacle, used for fast charging EVs. Devices over 1 kW would plug directly into their receptacles, while devices under 1 kW would usually use power bars to create enough outlets for all your various devices.
• 1 kW - The primary receptacle used throughout the house for most things.
- electronics, fans, lamps, fridges/freezers, small washing machines
• 2 kW - A common secondary receptacle for low power appliances.
- large washing machines, dishwashers, window ACs, space heaters, countertop appliances, hair dryers, power tools
• 4 kW - A receptacle for medium power appliances.
- dryers, small ovens
• 8 kW - A receptacle for high power appliances.
- large ovens, EV charging
• 16 kW - A receptacle for EV charging.
- EV charging
I was thinking about home electrical, and what's best standard in theory if a country was starting from scratch, with similar power levels as today. Here's my idea (remember I'm no expert). What do you think, and let's hear your own ideas!
-------------------------------------
Voltage and Type
I propose a single voltage of 100 VDC for a balance of safety and practicality. There should be very little chance of dying from 100 VDC, even with unfavorable factors like sweaty hands. Unlike AC, it requires you to touch both ends at once to get shocked, and it doesn't pulse meaning it's much less likely to stop your heart. 100 VDC is also high enough to feel but without significant pain, which is kind of a safety feature (you could touch >50 VDC and be unaware it's live).
Although this would require thicker wires, you'd only need 2 instead of 4 (no neutral or ground). So even though the wires need to be 2.4 times bigger (compared to 240v), you only need half as many, making it similar overall. I don't believe DC requires a ground wire, correct me if I'm wrong.
-------------------------------------
Receptacles
Receptacles (and breakers) would be labeled by their continuous power rating, instead of the non-continuous amp rating used now. Currently all receptacles use dedicated circuits and single outlets with the exception of 120v (usually). I propose expanding this to all receptacles. This means you'd always know how full the circuit is without checking the household wiring and other receptacles. These features (combined with being DC power) would make home electrical extremely easy to understand (and even work on) for regular people.
1 kW and 2 kW together would replace the 120v receptacle, with the former being placed throughout the house, and the latter being placed in certain spots for low power appliances (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.). 4 kW and 8 kW would replace 30a/50a 240v receptacles for regular appliances. 16 kW would replace the (rarely used) 60a 240v receptacle, used for fast charging EVs. Devices over 1 kW would plug directly into their receptacles, while devices under 1 kW would usually use power bars to create enough outlets for all your various devices.
• 1 kW - The primary receptacle used throughout the house for most things.
- electronics, fans, lamps, fridges/freezers, small washing machines
• 2 kW - A common secondary receptacle for low power appliances.
- large washing machines, dishwashers, window ACs, space heaters, countertop appliances, hair dryers, power tools
• 4 kW - A receptacle for medium power appliances.
- dryers, small ovens
• 8 kW - A receptacle for high power appliances.
- large ovens, EV charging
• 16 kW - A receptacle for EV charging.
- EV charging