The use of high-voltage lines in homes (for example, 600 V or 1,200 V) would reduce waste of energy. Why are they not used?
The "waste" arises out of heat generated by high current and
substantial impedance in LONG transmission lines. (Watts = current
squared x impedance).
The impedance of the run-lengths in a house is negligible, and the
power wasted in the house-wiring is therefore trivial compared with
that of the power used by the true load.
Moreover, not only would the use of the voltages you mention pose a
safety risk, but all the insulation throughout the installation
would need to be hugely up-graded, and very expensive, and things
like kettles, TV's, or PC's would all need to be changed to be
compatible.
In UK we do use 230 volts as standard. Most people would regard
that as the practical upper limit but it is, of course more
hazardous than the US 110 volts. and special safety measures are
built in to our wiring, sockets, etc.
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