Re: [tlug] Japanese Electrical Wiring

[jep200404@example.com]

On Mon, 9 Jan 2017 11:55:50 +0100, Kalin KOZHUHAROV <me.kalin@example.com> wrote:

> Many Japanese houses are not wired with earth, just phase+null.

I have long been curious about this kind of stuff in Japan
and elsewhere. I have taken pictures of outlets and measured
voltages when travelling.

Please explain the details of phase+null.
What country and/or language is that terminology native to?
Obviously, there is 100 VAC at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz,
with the frequency depending on which end of Japan one is at.
Do either "phase" or "null" have an electrical connection to dirt somewhere?

Are all two prong outlets polarized in Japan?
For polarized two prong outlets,
how common is it for the polarity to be reversed?

> ... touch the case on exposed metal (some of the
> bolts, if not painted) with a sensitive skin (back of your palm, or
> cheek if you dare). If you feel any tickle, you have a problem.

I experienced that East Asia, and knew what it meant. It scared me.
I was meeting with electrical engineers so I asked them about
grounding practices. None of them had any clue whatsoever about
how buildings were wired for electrical power and/or ground.
They were also not the least bit concerned.
This was in a brand new building in the early 2000s.

After that, I tried to touch only one metal thing at a time.