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The US electrical system is not 120V

Technology Connections · 3.1M views · 2020-06-22 · 24:26

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Overview

Technology Connections explains that US household power is split-phase, with two 120V legs that combine to 240V for large appliances. It covers the breaker panel and how the system works.

On Hacker News

HN commenters point to it to correct misconceptions about US voltage and to explain 240V availability in American homes.

Recommended by 4 HN people across 4 months · HN mentions 2021–2026

Topics

Power grid, heating & buildingsHome, DIY & practical skills
Search by tags
split phase240vbreaker panelelectrical wiringappliances

What people said

jamesbfb · 2024-09 · Recommendation

Huh, what?! Mega TIL moment for me as an Australian with an electric kettle and dryer plugged into whatever power socket I wish! Reminds me of this great Technology Connections video: [VIDEO]

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Rimintil · 2023-01 · Recommendation

Single family homes in America are 240v rails for large appliances, like stoves/ovens, furnaces, and dryers (two-phase). Technology Connections (YouTube) explains this fairly well: > [VIDEO]

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coreyp_1 · 2022-08 · Recommendation

There's a lot of misconceptions about US electricity. This video does a nice job at pointing out the good and the bad. [VIDEO]

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Sources

Video by Technology Connections, played through YouTube.

Data and selection notes

HN summaries and labels may contain AI errors. HN dates refer to discussions, not video publication.

HN Library: HackerTube export (2026-10-31) and open-index/hacker-news. Upstream summaries and classifications may contain AI errors.

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