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Mains electricity, typically a higher voltage AC waveform used to deliver electrical power to households. In North America 120V, 60Hz, in most European countries 230V, 50Hz. What most people will plug appliances into.

Mains electricity, typically a higher voltage AC waveform used to deliver electrical power to households. In North America 120V, 60Hz, in most European countries 230V, 50Hz. What most people will plug appliances into.

Because it is so ubiquitous, many electrical devices are designed to plug directly into wall outlets, even if internally they convert that power to a more convenient voltage -- often , , or .

In turn, for efficiency reasons or compatibility with the above devices or both, many electrical systems deliver electrical power at standard mains voltage and more-or-less standard frequencies and waveforms, converting from power distribution systems or from "12 V" power.

A few systems use the same wires that carry mains electrical power to also carry data.