Small Diesel Generators

Small Diesel Generators can be an effective alternative to Why is the maximum voltage 325 volts and not 230 volts as we normally say? It turns out that this waveform (which varies between high and low voltages) carries the same amount of energy as a constant voltage about 70% the size. So when we talk about a 230V AC supply, we mean a supply that would carry the same energy as a constant voltage of 230 V. This actually means an AC voltage that reaches 325 volts at certain points, and is zero at others.

Electrical engineers refer to the `230 volt' figure as the `root mean square' voltage, for reasons that you'll find in an engineering textbook. This is abbreviated to `rms', so you'll sometimes seen the domestic mains voltage written as `230 Vrms'. Unless indicated otherwise, you can expect voltages and currents described in electrical manuals and manufacturers' catalogues as `rms' figures, and then ignore this fact completely. The reason you can ignore it is that -- in domestic work -- so long as all measurements of voltage, current, and power are rms measurements, all the calculations still give correct answers.

230 volts is quite enough to give you a nasty shock, and sometimes these shocks can be fatal. In some parts of the world lower voltages are used, for increased safety. For reasons that will be explained later, it is more efficient (i.e., less wasteful of energy) to distribute electricity at a higher voltage, but increased efficiency is gained at the expense of safety.

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Otherwise, you can expect voltages and currents described in electrical manuals and manufacturers' catalogues as `rms' figures, and then ignore this fact completely. The reason you can ignore it is that -- in domestic work -- so long as all measurements of voltage, current, and power are rms measurements, all the calculations still give correct answers. 230 volts is quite enough to give you a nasty shock, and sometimes these shocks can be fatal.