Japan electrical distribution

[Wirehead]

Hello,

We're wondering how electricity is connected to Japanese homes. (We understand the wall outlets are 100V 50/60 Hz - that's not the question.)

In the USA, electricity is connected to the house in this way:

Two 220V "Hot" phases and a Neutral line are brought into the home's circuit breaker panel. Measuring from either Hot wire to Neutral there is 120V. Measuring across the two Hot wires there is 220V. Heavy-load appliances like ovens and clothes dryers use 220V. All other appliances use 120V. There are technical advantages to delivering and using electricity this way.

Our question is if power is delivered to households in Japan in the same manner. That is, are there two 200V Hot lines and a Neutral brought in to the circuit breaker panel?

And just for my own curiosity, do many (or any?) Japanese homes actaully use 200V power for anything? Are big heavy-load items like ovens or clothes dryers common household appliances there?

 

[DoctorP]

Yes, it is connected the same. Some A/C's use 200V, but for the most part all appliances run on 100VAC

 

[alantin]

What I found interesting was that in the wall outlet there usually are only the two phase connector with the potential differens of 100V but no ground line!

My microwave oven had a metal casing and a ground wire that I had to separately connect somewhere!

It didn't feel very safe..