On Sunday, 7 July 2013 17:22:17 UTC+2, Nightjar wrote:
On 07/07/2013 15:30, Harry Bloomfield wrote:

...

The basic numbers in the UK are 415v 3Ph. 240v single phase = 240v from

any of the three phases, to neutral. 415v as measured from any phase aay

of the other two....



Since 2003, it has been 400v and 230v, but with wider tolerances, so

that neither we nor any other EU country had to make any change to

existing equipment.



Colin Bignell

I don't really understand why we don't go for 3 phase at say 800V. Let's face it: even 230V is well into the lethal zone so going higher isn't going to be any more dangerous. Plus 800 is still low enough not to arc or flashover - given remotely adequate insulation. And just think of the saving in terms of conductor! Given the price of copper (notwithstanding it's slipped back lately) I'd have thought pushing up the supply voltages would be obvious thing to do from the pov of conserving natural resources.