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Comment by idupree | Hacker News Reader

Not in the US it isn't -- a wall socket is typically only rated to provide about 15 A * 120 V = 1800 W peak usage (* 80% = 1440 W long-term), which is less than their 2.5 kW vacuum cleaner. http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/maxload.html

15 A at 240 V could power it, though, if there's a vacuum cleaner that needs that much power.

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For what it's worth, on Amazon.de the top result is a 2400W device, and devices below 2kW are the exception. Other appliances like electric kettles are also often 2kW+.

I think you might find industrial vacuums that draw that much power. Those floor buffer things do at least I think.

Not if they plug into a traditional wall outlet. There are rules and laws about these things.

If the outlet has a T-slot on one side, it can take 125V 20A plugs (125*20 = 2.5kW) as well as the traditional 125V 15A plugs. They're different plugs. You can't pull 20A across 15A wires. That's how you get electrical fires (or, ideally, blow fuses/trip circuit breakers).

Ah yeah. I was thinking that the T-slot ones could handle much more power than that.

It's amazing what a wall socket will do under duress. I was drilling a hole in an exterior wall and accidentally draped the power cord into a puddle at the exact point where the drill cord met the extension. I got a big shock (I had contact with the puddle) with some effort dropped the drill that I was sort of force clenching, and ran/stumbled inside and turned off the mains. I couldn't work out why the fuse didn't blow until I pulled it out. Someone had stuck a paper clip across it, presumably after running out of fuse wire. The extension lead had welded its contacts to the drill lead as well. A lucky/unlucky combo that has taught me a lesson in electrical safety.

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