On Sat, 10 Aug 2013 16:38:57 -0500, "Pete C." >
wrote:

>
>Yellow wrote:
>>
>> In article >,
>> says...
>> >
>> > Yellow wrote:
>> > >
>> > > In article om>,
>> > > says...
>> > > >
>> > > > Well, more of an appliance. An electric water kettle. I've been wanting
>> > > > one and used a couple of BBB gift cards to gift myself. It boils water
>> > > > so fast (about 2 mins) I'm amazed, because the heating element is fairly
>> > > > small. I've been enjoying hot tea again in the morning since I gave up
>> > > > coffee a while ago.
>> > > >
>> > > > It's this model:
>> > > > http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...?sku=40656649&
>> > > >
>> > > > I guess I could have found one cheaper but I like the look of this one
>> > > > and I hope it lasts. No reviews and I hate buying things without
>> > > > customer reviews, but I took a chance.
>> > >
>> > > Every household does not already have a kettle? How do you make tea?
>> >
>> > Most of us heat our cup of water in the microwave in about a minute and
>> > a half. Some of us have "instant" hot water dispensers at our sinks so
>> > we can fill the cup with near boiling water in about two seconds. In
>> > years past it was common to have a water kettle you'd put on your stove
>> > (hob) to heat, but those have largely fallen from favor.
>>
>> I guess it makes a difference that in the US, you only have 110V.
>
>I'm not sure why there is always this misunderstanding. In the US we
>have 120/240V as our normal residential service, while out general
>purpose outlets are typically 20A 120V, 240V circuits are very common
>for larger appliances.
>
>> It makes the concept of an electric kettle, probably the one, single item
>> every kitchen has in the UK, less useful.
>
>Send me a 240V UK kettle, and I'll have a 240V receptacle in place for
>it with about 30 minutes of work.

In the US service voltage from the street is 240V, upon entering the
home voltage is split so that most circuits are 120V. 120V is far
safer. In the UK folks are more frugal and wiring the entire
residence for 240V costs less, but not very safe. It's more efficient
to transport electric at higher voltages so that's what's used outside
by the utility companys... much of the high tension wires are at 440V,
and even higher over longer distances, then stepped down at the
service with transformers. Where I live houses are a good distance
apart so every residence has its own step down transformer.