[aldonius]

> I'm also happy to see systems like this that run without exotic water cooling and 240V power.

Always funny to see 240V power described as exotic (or at least exotic-adjacent). It's the standard across practically the entire world except North and Central America!

[remram]

They actually distribute 240V in USAmerica, one neutral wire and two opposite-phase 120V wires. Outlets in homes are 120V but wiring 240V is not difficult.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power

This is different from Europe where we usually distribute 3 phases 130V.

[just6979]

> but wiring 240V is not difficult.

Most homes don't have more than a few 240v circuits, and they are usually always dedicated to a single device. My house has 4: range, oven, drier, water heater, all with only a single outlet. The concept of wiring split-phase 240V is not difficult, but getting 4-conductor 12-gauge wiring run to a new location in an existing building is not exactly easy.

So, the power delivery type/format _isn't_ exotic, but the ability to use it in arbitrary locations in a [residential] building, compared to 120V being in every room (though perhaps not 120V/20A in every room)

[BizarroLand]

I have 4 a well, but in my case it's Range/oven, Dryer, Water heater, and a 240v outlet in my garage that would be great for either recharging an electric vehicle or powering high voltage tools like a welder/plasma cutter.

[ssl-3]

Sure, but wiring 240v is still not difficult -- even in the States. The physical act of wiring 240v is on par with that of wiring 120v.

[ta988]

3 phases 230v you mean?

[lioeters]

> In Europe, three-phase 230/400 V is most commonly used. However, 130/225 V, three-wire, two-phase electric power discontinued systems called B1 are used to run old installations in small groups of houses when only two of the three-phase high-voltage conductors are used.

[ta988]

I know how to wikipedia too! They said usually, not "in some really rare cases"

[geerlingguy]

To be clear the water cooling part is what I meant to be 'exotic'. 240V is pretty prevalent in datacenters or network closets when specced, but is rarely seen outside of large appliance installs in US homes and small offices.

[UltraSane]

Every home in the US with an electric stove or water heater is using 240v electricity. It isn't really very exotic. 3 phase power to homes IS very exotic though and I'm not sure why it would be useful in homes.

[kiney]

3 phase power is near universal inncentral and northern europe. And it's useful for powering saunas, electric warm water or bigger tools

[UltraSane]

why? The benefits of 3-phase power are really only used by factories with lots of large electric motors. 3 phase has no benefit for resistance heating.

[korhojoa]

You can move more power per conductor with three conductors than with two.

As a sidenote, my apartment has a 3x63A main fuse. Three-phase is everywhere here. Really convenient for ev charging too.

[UltraSane]

Delivering 100 amps over 240 volt is not an issue.

[worthless-trash]

And welding .. nice when you have to use it.

[ssl-3]

In Norway, I understand that electric ranges are commonly cabled up with 3-phase wire that's about the size of a not-special extension cord here in the States. They accomplish this by using 400v.

Meanwhile, also here in the States: The wiring for my very normal (240v) electric range is the size of a baby's arm and might be even stiffer. (That last claim may be a bit hyperbolic: I've bent at least my share of 6/3 wire, but I don't think I've ever bent a baby's arm.)

[UltraSane]

The 400v is the important part. Not common at all in US homes but is very common in US factories.

[methyl]

Charging electric vehicles.

[unscaled]

That would actually be 230V in most countries to be nitpicky. And the split-phase nature of 240V in the US (or 200V here in Japan) does make it somewhat more exotic. I guess building codes may be more expensive when you've got two hot wires?