[HECnet] Number of nodes online a bit low?

John Wilson wilson at dbit.com
Mon Jan 26 08:40:23 PST 2015


From: Johnny Billquist <bqt at softjar.se>

This is Europe, remember...
Normal mains are 230V, and 3-phase are 410V phase to phase. All the DEC 
equipment around here are designed to run on that stuff.

Sure ... I remember reading the back plate on a dryer at a laundromat once
(in I forget which country) and suddenly not wanting to touch it any more.
I just have trouble getting used to the fact that although you *already*
run most things at what Americans would consider double voltage, you *still*
double the voltage for the big toys (things which we grudgingly whip out
the 230 VAC for).   But then again, once it's lethal, I suppose it doesn't
matter how lethal.   And copper costs more than insulation so being able
to use wimpier wire for the same wattage is good design.   Less loss too.
Plus, this is stuff you pretty much never unplug/replug, so your fingers
are almost never near the live prongs.   Still ... around here, it's hard
to find wire that's insulated for more than 300V.

John Wilson
D Bit



More information about the Hecnet-list mailing list