I can see the merits of a higher utilisation voltage such as that being adopted by Saudi Arabia, simplicity and smaller conductor sizes. In the particular instance of Saudi Arabia, this also means the end of 127 volts which is a rather odd voltage these days. Only a limited range of 127 volt lamps and appliances are available and the usual practice is to use equipment intended for 120 volts.

This tends to over stress such equipment especially if the nominal 127 volt supply is on the generous side. An actual 127 volts is probably OK for a 120 volt appliance. but 133 volts (127 plus 5%) is a bit high, and 140 volts (127 plus 10%) is almost certainly too much.

Also with a 127/220 volt system, there is little opportunity to increase the 220 volts to the new widely used standard of 230 volts. An existing 220 volt appliance should be fine at 230 volts, but a 120 volt appliance is unlikely to tolerate a nominal 133 volts that is likely to reach 140/145 volts actual.


Therefore Saudi Arabia have IMO made a very sensible decision.


As regards the USA, a higher utilisation voltage seems unlikely to help much with the recurring large blackouts. The main problem seems to be marginal high voltage transmission capacity and marginal medium voltage distribution capacity, neither of which will be relieved by increasing the utilisation voltage.

What America needs is either increased capacity, or reduced demand , or grid tied PV on a large scale. The increased air conditioning demand in hot weather  is a significant problem, which could be relieved by large scale adoption of grid tied PV. This could reduce transmission and distribution demand significantly and reduce thermal stress on cables and transformers at the hottest time of day.

I can see the merits of a higher utilisation voltage such as that being adopted by Saudi Arabia, simplicity and smaller conductor sizes. In the particular instance of Saudi Arabia, this also means the end of 127 volts which is a rather odd voltage these days. Only a limited range of 127 volt lamps and appliances are available and the usual practice is to use equipment intended for 120 volts.

This tends to over stress such equipment especially if the nominal 127 volt supply is on the generous side. An actual 127 volts is probably OK for a 120 volt appliance. but 133 volts (127 plus 5%) is a bit high, and 140 volts (127 plus 10%) is almost certainly too much.

Also with a 127/220 volt system, there is little opportunity to increase the 220 volts to the new widely used standard of 230 volts. An existing 220 volt appliance should be fine at 230 volts, but a 120 volt appliance is unlikely to tolerate a nominal 133 volts that is likely to reach 140/145 volts actual.


Therefore Saudi Arabia have IMO made a very sensible decision.


As regards the USA, a higher utilisation voltage seems unlikely to help much with the recurring large blackouts. The main problem seems to be marginal high voltage transmission capacity and marginal medium voltage distribution capacity, neither of which will be relieved by increasing the utilisation voltage.

What America needs is either increased capacity, or reduced demand , or grid tied PV on a large scale. The increased air conditioning demand in hot weather  is a significant problem, which could be relieved by large scale adoption of grid tied PV. This could reduce transmission and distribution demand significantly and reduce thermal stress on cables and transformers at the hottest time of day.