A simple explanation of how 220 and 110 volt systems work in the U.S. to homes

I can speak about here in California because I worked as an electrician summers from age 12 to age 17 and then again for a year when I was 21 and on various jobs since then building homes from the ground up or in repairing or room additions over the years.

Basically it's like this. Most homes don't need 440 but they might need 220 for some washers and driers or some electric stoves. So, they have transformers (usually on telephone and power poles) but could also be underground, that reduce (usually 1000 volts) down to 220 for use by households. by the way if a 1000 volt line is knocked down before it goes through a transformer and you pick it up off the ground usually you will die. I only know one person who has done this that didn't die.

You might survive a 220 jolt and I have experienced literally thousands of 110 volt jolts because often as an electrician you have to work the lines hot various places because they need their electricity on where you are working especially businesses and TV stations.

So, when you see three wires coming from the pole near the transformer you have two "Hot wires and one neutral line. When you want to use 110 volts you take one of the hot wires and the neutral wire and then that is 110 volts. But, if you want 220 volts you take both hot wires and the neutral and then you have 220 volts for some electric stoves and some heaters and some electric driers and washers and some hot tubs.

But, most things take only 110 volts so most plugs outlets in your home are going to be 110 volts. You usually don't die from a 110 volt shock unless you are standing in water or something like that.

So, even though you should respect 220 always because that easily can kill you with a 220 shock, a 110 shock mostly won't harm you much unless you are standing in water at the time barefoot or with shoes that don't insulate you from the water.

Also, never never never work on anything electrical with any gold or silver rings or necklaces  on because that is often fatal. The most likely to be fatal would be wearing like a Saint Christopher that was gold or any other gold or silver medal around your neck. Electricians can NEVER wear wedding rings either because that could burn their ring finger off if the ring became grounded.

So, anytime you do electrical work around your home take off all metal that you are wearing like rings watches bracelets so you don't die or burn off your hand or fingers. Necklaces are the worst for dying.