Strange New Physics! Water boils slower in the US

[IRstuff]

We typically travel with a portable water heater for boiling water to make tea while traveling, because when the hotels have coffee makers, they're typically so imbued with coffee taste that even several pots of clear water still result in a strong coffee smell.

Interestingly, in the last 4 countries we visited, water boils approximately 4 times faster there than at home.

Spoiler

It's the electrical power, of course; all 4 countries we visited use 220VAC, so double the voltage, hence quadruple the power, so approximately 4 times faster boiling.

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[LionelHutz]

What is the total KWH for both voltages? Are they the same?

It'd be close. 1/4 the power taking around 4X as long to boil. I'd guess that the lower wattage would use more kWh because more time to get to the final temperature gives heat more time to escape.

 

[waross]

The supply cord may be badly overheated.

--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[dik]

Is there any long term power savings for a country to use 220V vs 110V? or saving for equipment or wiring costs? Is the higher voltage more costly? or costly just because 220V equipment is less common?

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[IRstuff]

Is there any long term power savings for a country to use 220V vs 110V?

Hypothetically, yes; the resistive losses in the distribution network should be noticeably reduced. However, in the US, that would require a massive refitting of a huge amount of electronics to run off 220V

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

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[waross]

But much new electronic consumer equipment is powered by switching power supplies that will accept any standard voltage, world wide.

--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[dik]

Thanks, IRS, and waross...

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik