MovieChat Forums > Mr. Mom (1983) Discussion > Are you gonna make it all 2:20?

Are you gonna make it all 2:20?


In specific terms, what does this mean?

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[deleted]

LOL, I figured that much.

Can you break it down for me?

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220 volts of electrical current, which is the amount of current needed to run many large appliances in the United States (electric dryers, some wall unit air conditioners, etc.) It's funny that Ron asks Jack if he's going to re-wire the room for 220 volts, because the standard U.S. electrical outlet runs on 120 volts. Then with Jack's reply, "Yeah, 220, 221, whatever it takes", it shows that they are both completely clueless about home improvement.

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...and then Caroline's response in the dream sequence, "...38 or 39...whatever it took."

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Or that Europe generally runs on 220 and the US at 120

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The odd thing is that Jack is an engineer. Virtually all engineering colleges require some degree of electrical science courses, physics, etc. Any basic science or physics courses would have taught basic electricity back in the 1970's, presumably when Jack was in school. Nowadays who knows.

I love the line in the movie, but as an engineer, there's no way Jack wouldn't know what 220V was.

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Actually it is 220 volts of Voltage, or electrical pressure. As to water's psi. Current (flow) varies with the load. And in the US residential generally run at 240 volts when larger appliances require. Yes, wall outlets and light in residential is 120 volts to ground. If we used 220 like in
Europe, we would have less trouble with neutral faults and our homes' energy systems would always be balanced, resulting in more efficiency and less cost to us, the consumer. But we always get the shaft, right?

And most engineers I have known know just enough about a lot of things as to be dangerous and they tend to over-complicate things...

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And most engineers I have known know just enough about a lot of things as to be dangerous and they tend to over-complicate things...


sounds more like a politcian



***
What about that time I found you naked with that bowl of Jell-O?

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220 volts of electrical current, which is the amount of current needed to run many large appliances in the United States (electric dryers, some wall unit air conditioners, etc.)


Not true. 220 volts is electrical pressure. Electrical current is measured in amps, not volts. Of course, it doesn't really matter in this context but hey, why not learn something while discussing this hilarious movie?

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No - Mull's character isn't clueless. He's asking Jack if while he's at it, he'll make it 220v in case of future needs for a large appliance - you can always tap off one side for standard 110v.

And yes, it's voltage, not current.

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