Question

What are differences (in use, benefits, requirements etc) in the 160 volts that the USA uses and 220-240 volts the rest of the world uses? Explain how a step-down converter/transformer to reduce the voltage input and outputs the correct voltage works when using a device of 240 volts to the USA 160v, vice versa?

Answer 1

USA uses 110 V AC Voltage as its primary power source for household use where as the rest of the word sticks with 220 V
The benifits of using lower voltage is risk reduction for normal household usage. Also, Since USA uses split phase 110 V in two phase system, one can use 110*2 = 240 V to run large appliances which is also a pro of using 110 V voltage

220 V on the other hand reduces transmission losses and the transmission can be done using thinner wires as compared to lower voltages. this happens because heat developed in a resistor is proportional to square of current and current is reduced when voltage is high for the same power requirement

when using a 220/240 V device in USA, then the input voltage 110/160V can be steppped up using a step up transformer to run this device. For running a 110/160 V rated instrument with 220/260 V input, we have to use a step down transformer to step down the input voltage to 160/110 V for the equipment to work safely