This is a tale of how a great deal of EU activity, aimed at ‘harmonising’ the mains voltage across its member states, ended up changing nothing except the number printed on electrical equipment, from “220” or “240” to “230”. (It would have been too expensive to change all of Europe’s 220 V electricity supply equipment and all of the UK’s 240 V equivalent). It’s also a cautionary tale about how it’s worth checking the facts before having a good rant.
The UK mains, though nominal,
Was once “240 volt”.
But now it is “230”, so
I’m planning a revolt.
It was th’ accursed EU
That made us Brits conform
To what its bureaucratic club
Thought ought to be the norm.
“We want our volts back”, I shall shout
As loud as I am able.
“British volts for British folk,
Applied to British cable.”
But wait! I’ve read the small print!
“230” means, you see,
Anywhere from two-sixteen*
Right up to two-five-three.
In EU-speak, they’ve ‘harmonised’
That voltage-rating mess
By leaving things just as they were –
A Euro-fudge, I guess.
*Actually, 216.2