[BC] 1950s' transistor radios pointed to more tech changes

[RichardBJohnson at comcast.net]

It is hardly "balanced power." It's 200-250 volts in which no current is supposed to flow to the "earth." The voltages could be as high as 1200 volts above "earth," because that's what the standard requires for insulation! So, in principle one could have 1000 volts on one prong and 1200 on another! In the "real world," to prevent people from getting killed when a transformer develops leakage, the standard allows for either prong to be grounded or for a transformer center-tap to ground. Because there is no guarantee which protection method might be in use, one cannot extract 110 volts from their 220 volts, except by using a transformer.

The Brits admit that their system is "the pits," but they have no money available to change it.

Cheers,
Richard B. Johnson
Book: http://www.AbominableFirebug.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Mathis" <thebeaver32 at gmail.com>

Yes, but isn't their system using balanced power with no ground? That would
seem to mitigate the problem.