How are power line voltages determined?

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Article #19127

#19127

From: Rick Karlquist
Date: Tue, 10 May 1988 01:07

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Does anyone out there know how the "official" power line voltages
are arrived at.  It seems that in the beginning, there was 110
volts (at least all the old timers talk about 110) and now you
often see 115 volts listed as nominal.  However, you often see
equipment marked as 120 volts or surprisingly 117 volts.  Where
do they come up with an odd ball number like 117 anyway.  My 
guess is its 115 + 2%, but that's not based on anything.  Will
the real power line voltage please stand up!


                                 Rick Karlquist
                                 Hewlett-Packard
                                 rkarlqu%hpscdc@hplabs.hp.com

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Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!uwvax!oddjob!ncar!ames!ucsd!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hpda!hpcupt1!hpcuhb!hpscdc!rkarlqu
From: rkarlqu@hpscdc.HP.COM (Rick Karlquist)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: How are power line voltages determined?
Message-ID: <5770004@hpscdc.HP.COM>
Date: 10 May 88 01:07:40 GMT
Organization: HP, Santa Clara, CA
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