110 Volts vs 230-240v - Rationale? Ask questions and find answers on all aspects of tools including hand & power tools.

[silverfox56]

Commercial and trade operators often or usually use 110v power tools. Some comments say the reason is that the lower voltage reduces the impact of an electric shock. On it's own, that makes sense.

However, I thought that:
(1) it's more the current (amps) that kill
(2) Using a transformer to reduce 220v to 110v would mean the current in amps is doubled.

So wouldn't transforming the voltage down to 110v increase the risk of death if an electric shock happens ?

[Hugh Schkok]

I despise that directive when a portable mcb or eld box can be easily plugged into a 240v socket. In the US they only have 110v and it is bloody awful and looses all of its power in around 50 feet. Short in the cable cause lightening strikes from the wound and the tools can be substantially heavier that ours in the civilised 1st world. I guess its because they only built hut's, slums and Trump Towers. Which Yankee really cares if his Mexican artisan are vaporised in a cloud of soot and smoke. They pull up at Walmart's next morning and pick some more up?