[Amps] Re Direct rectification of AC mains to derive the amp, VDD, supply

[Peter Voelpel]

Jim, you will not find any house in Germany being fed from a center-tapped
transformer.

3 phases + neutral is standard, very few houses are still single phase +
neutral.
The distribution transformers are all star connected three phase
transformers with 400V secondary.

73
Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: Amps [mailto:amps-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Jim Brown

On 9/19/2013 9:01 AM, Bill Turner wrote:
> Could you elaborate on this a bit? I assume the difference is
> how the neutral is used or not used. Is that correct?

The key differences in power distribution around the world boil down to 
four factors. 1) Voltage and frequency 2) How and where the neutral and 
earth conductors are bonded together, and how they are distributed 
around the building; 3) the plugs used; 4) protection devices like 
GFCIs. In EU, power is at double our voltage and is fed from 
center-tapped transformers, but because the line voltage is 220-240V, 
few homes need both sides of the transformer. Also, most of EU places 
serious limits on Power Factor, mostly looking at the Harmonic component 
of load current.