Electricity in Japan PT 2

Dive deep and get the fine details part two

The voltage in Japan is 100 Volt, which is different from North America (110V), Central Europe (220V) and most other regions of the world. Japanese electrical plugs have two, non-polarized pins, as shown above. They fit into North American outlets.

Japanese power outlets are usually identical to ungrounded (2-pin) North American outlets. While most newly installed Japanese outlets these days are polarized (one slot is slightly wider than the other), it is common to encounter non-polarized outlets in some places.

Some North American equipment will work fine in Japan without adapter and vice versa, however, some sensitive equipment may not work properly or even get damaged. If you intend to purchase electronic appliances in Japan for use outside of Japan, you are advised to look for equipment specifically made for oversea tourists or equipment that says it can handle various voltages and or frequencies in Hz. Example: 100 to 240 volts 50/60hz

The frequency of electric current is 50 Hertz in Eastern Japan (including Tokyo, Yokohama, Tohoku, Hokkaido) and 60 Hertz in Western Japan (including Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Shikoku, Kyushu), however this frequency difference affects only sensitive equipment that requires a specific frequency. If you are bringing things to Japan check with a professional or call the manufacturer if you are not a pro.

Falcon Electric:

http://www.falconups.com/ups/sg-ups.htm

Stores:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamada_Denki

http://www.biccamera.com/

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[captain150]

It's almost a shame NA is stuck with 120 volts. 220-240 is superior in terms of reduced conductor size and less current (less potential for overheated sockets etc).

But I wonder why Japan hasn't moved to grounded receptacles? They've been required in the US and here in Canada since the early 60s. And they are backward compatible with 2 prong polarized and unpolarized plugs. Win-win situation.

[toddatron]

@captain150 They have only recently began to use them more in new construction but non polarized is still the popular choice. Its funny even new appliances and some heavy duty stuff are all 2 pin polarized at best. A third ground pin is rare on anything. Then there is that green lead for a ground that can be seen dangling and never hooked up. I admit I haven't hooked up the one on my microwave:P

[Da9eI]

A bit different than here in Norway, where we usually have 230V 50Hz for everything! Sometimes 3x230V for waterheater (all phases are "hot"). Nowdays 3phase 400\440V are starting to be more popular, it has 3 phases (hot) and one Neutral. Between 1ph and N, there are 230V. All our 230V apliance plugs fits both ways in sockets (No polarization). 400V are a bit safer when it comes to earth faults. 16A fuses are most common (3680W), but old houses have 10A (2300W) [IT=230V, TN=400V)

[toddatron]

Hey thanks for this! I am always interested in stuff like that! Great comment!

[racependleton]

This is exactly the info I needed. Thank you so much!

[fairyheli2]

you'd think japan would have bigger supplies for such a technology based country, we have 230-250v in england at 100 amp for most houses, three phase is becoming more popular

[tahiro1121]

At 7:40, they call these transformers as "cubicles" somehow. These will typically do 6600V->200V stepdown. And at 7:50, the service-drop looks like it is for three-phase @ 200V (maybe with the single-phase tied together) given that you see two power meters, one for single-phase 100V/3wires and another for three-phase @ 200V.

[tall32guy]

3:46! Funny! That's a funny lookin ol thing. hehe

[REWYRED]

@67tr876 I am in Canada too and a common supply voltage here is "347 / 600V". We do use the 347V for lighting but mostly for parking lots and some fluorescents.. 600V HID lighting was popular in the steel mills around here and in some other buildings but its very rare now due to safety issues. Even 347V has had a few issues where its resulted in code changes requiring "ballast disconnects" in light fixtures now to provide a means of isolating the fixture when servicing the ballast.

[fordguy001]

single phase.....wow. i thought 2 phase was common

[timshatsui]

The UK is different to all of these countries. We have one standard voltage of 220 volts 50 hz. Our mains plugs have 3 square pins and are quite bulky and ugly, they have an internal fuse for extra safety. ALL domestic electrical items have the same 13amp plug, but with lower amp fuses for small items e.g. lamps. Plugs are usually moulded. Our Electric cookers are hard wired to a 30 amp outlet, with a separate switch on them. British homes normally have a 60 amp circuit entering the home.

[67tr876]

@captain150 I see but ya why cant we bost up to 240 volts !

[Ragnar8504]

Is the main actually an AFCI? Seems pretty surprising that Japan should have had them from the 80s onwards when the US only got them in the early 2000s, a main GFI (presumably with a trip current more like 30mA as opposed to the US 5mA) seems more likely to me. Main RCDs (official term for electromechanic ground fault interruptors without built-in overcurrent protection) with trip currents of 30, 100, 300 or even 500mA have been required in most European countries for quite some time now.