Yeah, it's pretty scary.
What's more - they don't really care (or seem to).
Grouding is merely an afterthought.
I believe the AU/NZ outlet type (the arrow shape) is a lot safer than the "neutral blade" slot of american outlets.
Also, I think that 20% without ground seems a bit low. It's probably higher than that. I laugh at those people who plug surge protection strips into those outlets....
One other thing: the wiring itself - the hot wire is.. BLACK?? The neutral is white.
Seems kinda counter-intuitive, especially in a country where any hillbilly can do and often does their own wiring (local codes permitting).
Australian (and probably new zealand) code is ACTIVE (hot) = RED/BROWN, NEUTRAL = black/blue, EARTH= Green/Green+Yellow.
Those photos were taken in Escondido, CA.
First photo was the switch panel of an old 40A knob-and-tube service installed circa 1925 that had some romex cable installed at a later date.
Second shot was of a house build after WW2 (probably early 50s) and was slightly better, but not by much. Not a single grounded outlet in either house.
After spending about a year in California, I have come to the conclusion that a lot of things that Americans do re: electricity are pretty dangerous, and would be downright illegal in Australia.
I've noticed in several places people using "grounding adapters" as a way to get around that pesky grounding pin not quite fitting in that ancient 2-pin socket. Not to mention the adapter states "connect tab to grounded screw", i.e. use them on a wall plate with a grounded box (yeah right - how often does that happen?).
Also, those extension cords with wires the thickness of my clock radio with the three outlets on the end - in my opinion - VERY dangerous, and they're just itching to have "grounding adapters" used with them.
While the houses I have been in had plenty of outlets (3-4 duplex outlets per room), the internal wiring and circuits were simply too small. 2 bedroom house had 3 15 Amp circuits, one for the fridge, microwave, washer and dryer, another for 2 bedrooms, the bathroom and the light circuits, and the other for the outdoor receptacle, the lounge room (tv, cable box, dvd, 3-4 floor lamps, heater).
Performing daily chores is an exercise in balancing circuits, let's see. I can't do the washing if the fridge is going to be running, so, turn the fridge thermo right up, do the washing, do the drying (stop both if you need to microwave something), then turn the thermostat in the fridge back to it's normal chill level.
Otherwise, expect circuits to trip.
In Australia we commonly use 3-4 20A, 240V/50Hz circuits in most houses for power, 2x 10A (sometimes 16A) circuits for lights and ceiling fans, dedicated 20A circuits for air conditioners, 32A circuits for electric stoves and ovens, and 20A circuits for fridges.
Really old houses will use 16A power circuits and 8A light circuits, but it still provides more power (at 240V, not 220) than most relatively new installations in the US.
A few shockers:
http://deschutes.no-ip.com/usapower.jpg
Quality:)
http://deschutes.no-ip.com/usapower2.jpg
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Yeah, it's pretty scary. What's more - they don't really care (or seem to). Grouding is merely an afterthought. I believe the AU/NZ outlet type (the arrow shape) is a lot safer than the "neutral blade" slot of american outlets. Also, I think that 20% without ground seems a bit low. It's probably higher than that. I laugh at those people who plug surge protection strips into those outlets.... One other thing: the wiring itself - the hot wire is.. BLACK?? The neutral is white. Seems kinda counter-intuitive, especially in a country where any hillbilly can do and often does their own wiring (local codes permitting). Australian (and probably new zealand) code is ACTIVE (hot) = RED/BROWN, NEUTRAL = black/blue, EARTH= Green/Green+Yellow. Those photos were taken in Escondido, CA. First photo was the switch panel of an old 40A knob-and-tube service installed circa 1925 that had some romex cable installed at a later date. Second shot was of a house build after WW2 (probably early 50s) and was slightly better, but not by much. Not a single grounded outlet in either house.
After spending about a year in California, I have come to the conclusion that a lot of things that Americans do re: electricity are pretty dangerous, and would be downright illegal in Australia. I've noticed in several places people using "grounding adapters" as a way to get around that pesky grounding pin not quite fitting in that ancient 2-pin socket. Not to mention the adapter states "connect tab to grounded screw", i.e. use them on a wall plate with a grounded box (yeah right - how often does that happen?). Also, those extension cords with wires the thickness of my clock radio with the three outlets on the end - in my opinion - VERY dangerous, and they're just itching to have "grounding adapters" used with them. While the houses I have been in had plenty of outlets (3-4 duplex outlets per room), the internal wiring and circuits were simply too small. 2 bedroom house had 3 15 Amp circuits, one for the fridge, microwave, washer and dryer, another for 2 bedrooms, the bathroom and the light circuits, and the other for the outdoor receptacle, the lounge room (tv, cable box, dvd, 3-4 floor lamps, heater). Performing daily chores is an exercise in balancing circuits, let's see. I can't do the washing if the fridge is going to be running, so, turn the fridge thermo right up, do the washing, do the drying (stop both if you need to microwave something), then turn the thermostat in the fridge back to it's normal chill level. Otherwise, expect circuits to trip. In Australia we commonly use 3-4 20A, 240V/50Hz circuits in most houses for power, 2x 10A (sometimes 16A) circuits for lights and ceiling fans, dedicated 20A circuits for air conditioners, 32A circuits for electric stoves and ovens, and 20A circuits for fridges. Really old houses will use 16A power circuits and 8A light circuits, but it still provides more power (at 240V, not 220) than most relatively new installations in the US. A few shockers: http://deschutes.no-ip.com/usapower.jpg Quality :)
http://deschutes.no-ip.com/usapower2.jpg