Electrical question

[kia027]

someone has an electrical appliance that can use a 220v and a 110v outlet

the 220V will charge the appliance at a faster rate than the 110v.. which I get.. but what I do not understand is how the 220V outlet will use less electricity than the 110V?

Can anyone explain?

[j-kid]

Re: Electrical question

Charging an appliance battery is not the same as operating the appliance. A lower voltage can be used to slowly charge, or trickle charge, as long as the current rating is appropriate.

If the appliance needs 220V to operate using a lower voltage will cause erratic operation or it wont operate at all. You could even start a fire, if the current draw demands exceeds what the power supply can deliver. However, if an appliance needs 115v to operate using a higher voltage could damage the appliance, unless the voltage is stepped down (via built in circuitry) or an external adapter..

[kia027]

Re: Electrical question

the appliance can charge at both 110V and 220V based on the charging cords.

Appliance takes about 20hrs to charge on 110V and 4 hrs on 220V but what confuses me is we were told that since the 220V only takes 4 hrs to charge it will use less electricity to charge the appliance than the 110V which takes 20hrs to charge.

I have very limited electrical experience but thought that no matter how long it takes for the appliance to charge it will still use the same amount of electricity? i.e. If I fill a glass of water, it does not matter how fast or slow I do it as the full glass will contain the same amount of water?

[j-kid]

Re: Electrical question

Yes. It has to do with the rate of charge.
In simple terms, It will cost you less money, because you will charge the batteries faster at the higher voltage. The car will have the same impedance at both the higher, or lower voltage, but will also have lower current draw at the lower voltage, therefore it will take longer to deliver the necessary energy.

Just think of it as using a garden hose vs. a fire hose to wash a car, the fire hose will do it faster within the first minute vs say 15 min.

[kia027]

Re: Electrical question

ahhhh now I see thank you it makes sense now

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Electrical question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J kid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes. It has to do with the rate of charge.
In simple terms, It will cost you less money, because you will charge the batteries faster at the higher voltage. The car will have the same impedance at both the higher, or lower voltage, but will also have lower current draw at the lower voltage, therefore it will take longer to deliver the necessary energy.

Just think of it as using a garden hose vs. a fire hose to wash a car, the fire hose will do it faster within the first minute vs say 15 min. </div></div>220 volt circuit use less current than a 110 generally because because the 220 circuit uses 2 opposing 110 legs and only one grounding leg.
The current is measured on the grounding leg and an d the grounding leg measures amperes and not voltage.
And no the power company don't lose because current that is not measured is actually recycled through the live 110 legs.
In other words what don't go to ground return to the circuit to be used again.
Just like the old time christmas tree lights that is serial wired.

[j-kid]

Re: Electrical question

Yes, but only if the power consumption is the same in both 115v, and the 220v circuit. If power demand goes up in the 220V circuit, that no longer holds true.