When it comes to choosing a hand dryer for your business, you may encounter options labeled "high voltage" or "low voltage." Understanding hand dryer voltage and what it means for your facility can help you make a more informed decision. Let’s dive into the differences, what voltage really means, and how to select the best hand dryer for your space.

What is Voltage?

Voltage is the measure of electrical potential that drives current through a device. In the context of hand dryers, voltage refers to the electrical input level the dryer needs to operate. Hand dryers typically come in two main voltage categories:

High Voltage: Typically 220-240 volts, commonly found in larger commercial and industrial buildings. Found in residential homes in larger appliances such as a clothes dryer or stove. This is also the standard voltage for most countries outside of the Americas. 

Low Voltage: Typically 110-120 volts, often used in residential settings or small businesses. This is the voltage found in a standard electrical outlet in the US.

A key takeaway here: the difference between high voltage and low voltage normally doesn’t impact the power or heat of the hand dryer. Both high and low-voltage hand dryers usually deliver the same amount of power (watts) and, therefore, the same level of performance in terms of airflow, drying speed, and heat. The distinction is purely about the electrical wiring setup in your facility.

In other words, what power is most readily available, and what would your electrician prefer to use? In some cases, particularly Dyson hand dryers, the high voltage hand dryers do deliver an incrementally higher amount of power (watts,) so while they may be faster, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference. 

Note that most hand dryers used today are low voltage. Even if a commercial facility has high voltage circuits, most places still choose low voltage because it is readily available in all of the wiring that is installed in restrooms and offices, which would be wired for standard 115 volt electrical outlets.

You can see here that we refer to voltages in ranges. That’s because electrical circuits in a building can have small fluctuations in the amount of power that runs through them. So, a circuit designed for 115 volts may deliver a little more or less. Therefore, hand dryers that are designated as low voltage may be able to accept 100 volts (common in Japan) to 120 volts. That’s why many people use 110, 115, and 120 volts interchangeably. It doesn't really matter as long as they are in the range.

For high-voltage hand dryers, the ranges can be a little more segmented. The standard high voltage range is 220 to 240 volts and an appliance will work with anything in that range. (The UK runs on 240 volts and the rest of Europe uses 230 volts, but that’s close enough that you can use the same hand dryer for either.)

208 volts is another standard high-voltage in the US, and it used to be that some hand dryers were specifically made for that range. However, all hand dryers that we know of have incorporated 208 volts, so the true high-voltage range is now 208 to 240 volts. 277 volts is specifically installed in areas that have large banks of lights that might run on 277 volts and so there are some users who specifically purchase 277 volt hand dryers to attach them to that system. Since this is such a small segment, most manufacturers have stopped offering options for 277 volts. However, with advances in smart technology, it’s now possible for a hand dryer to accept a wider range of voltage.

Excel Dryer has now expanded its high-voltage hand dryers to include any voltage from 208 volts to 277 volts in their Universal Voltage Xlerator and ThinAir hand dryers. Those high-voltage hand dryers are designated by a V in the model number, such as the XL-SBV. 

The World Dryer Verdedri hand dryer is compatible with any voltage from 110 volts to 277 volts in what they call Expanded Universal Voltage. That’s a good trick indeed, and it would be really nice if all hand dryers went to this standard in the future. But they are trickier and more expensive to manufacture that way.  

High Voltage Hand Dryers

High-voltage hand dryers (208-277 volts) are more common in larger commercial or industrial settings where buildings have the necessary wiring infrastructure. Although these dryers don’t produce more heat or airflow than low-voltage dryers, they operate on a higher electrical input, allowing them to be compatible with the building’s setup.

If your facility is wired for higher voltage appliances, opting for a high voltage hand dryer can save on installation costs, as they can be directly wired into the existing electrical setup. It’s a practical choice that makes use of the available wiring without requiring adjustments to the building’s electrical configuration.  

Low Voltage Hand Dryers

Low-voltage hand dryers (110-120 volts) are designed for facilities with standard voltage setups, typically seen in homes or small commercial spaces. Just like their high-voltage counterparts, these dryers provide the same level of heat, airflow, and overall performance. The primary difference is that they’re suited for standard voltage setups, making them easier to install in places without high-voltage infrastructure.

Opting for a low-voltage hand dryer in a space already equipped for 110-120 volts can be more straightforward and cost-effective, eliminating the need for wiring changes or upgrades.

Key Differences Between High Voltage and Low Voltage Hand Dryers

When comparing low-voltage and high-voltage hand dryers, remember that, in most cases, the voltage level does not impact the dryer’s power, heat, or drying performance. Here’s a quick look at the primary differences:

Voltage Requirement: High voltage dryers need a 208-277V circuit, while low voltage dryers need a 110-120V circuit.

Installation: Almost all hand dryers in the US are designed to be hard-wired. Therefore, your hand dryer will not come with a cord and plug and cannot be plugged in. There are a limited number of hand dryers that do come with a plug and it’s pretty easy to install a plug to your existing hand dryer. You can purchase a “pigtail,” or three-prong power cord, from Berl’s or your local hardware store. One end of the cord will have three open wires (hot, neutral and ground - do not get one that is not grounded!) and those wires are connected to the terminal within the hand dryer. You must select a power cord that is rated for the same electrical requirements as the hand dryer, and you must make sure that the circuit you are plugging into has the capacity for the hand dryer. A Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) should also be installed into that circuit or outlet. Note, finally, that if a hand dryer is certified to be hard-wired, then it is likely NOT approved by the certification agency, such as UL, to be plugged in, and so you do so at your own risk, and you also may be voiding the warranty. It’s always safer and cleaner to hard wire a hand dryer. (Although you will notice that the standard in Europe is to plug in their hand dryers while in the US it is to be hard-wired.) If you wire a low-voltage hand dryer to a high voltage circuit, you will fry the dryer and create a serious safety hazard. If you wire a high-voltage hand dryer to a low-volt circuit, it will not work, but at least you won’t blow it up. Always have a certified electrician do any installation work like this for you. Choosing a hand dryer compatible with your facility’s existing wiring can make installation easier and more cost-effective.

Compatibility: High-voltage dryers are often found in larger commercial spaces, while low-voltage dryers are common in smaller businesses and residential areas. Normally, either type can be used in any facility. It just depends on the power available at that location and the ability of an electrician to bring that power to where it is needed.  

In short, the only real difference is in the voltage setup required to operate the dryer, not in its ability to dry hands effectively.

What are Volts, Watts, Amps and Hertz?

Volts is the potential energy a circuit can hold. An easier way to understand it is that volts measure the amount of pressure that goes through the wires (using the water-through-a-hose analogy). 

Amps (ampere) measures electrical current. It’s the speed that electrons move through the wires. (Or the speed that water moves through a hose.)

Watts is a measurement of power. This is the true number that indicates how much energy is being used. In the water analogy, it’s the total amount of water coming out of the hose. That’s why volts does not affect the performance of hand dryers. Watts will tell you whether or not they are using more or less power and, therefore, might be faster or slower. If you have more volts, you have less amps, and therefore the total power remains the same. Watts = Amps x Volts. If a 115 volt hand dryer is rated at 15 amps, the total power required is 115 V * 15 A = 1,725 Watts. But the same 230 volt hand dryer is rated at only 7.5 amps, and so it uses the same amount of power. 230 V * 7.5 A = 1,725 Watts. It’s not always exact like this, but normally it’s pretty close.

So just remember 

Watts = Amps x Volts

And you can understand a lot when it comes to electrical requirements. 

Finally, we have Hertz. Hertz measures frequency and is best thought about as a wave length. This measures a quality of power rather than the amount of power. The US uses a frequency of 60 Hz for virtually all of its power. Much (but not all) of the rest of the world that uses high voltage as their standard (vs the low voltage in the US) uses 50 Hz. Generally, the differences are fine enough that if I try to use a 60 Hz US hand dryer in Europe, it will work. But there may be some difference in things like timing. If the hand dryer is push-button, for example, that timer will take a different amount of time than it should because of the difference in hertz. Fortunately now, many of the hand dryers have been programmed to accept either 50 or 60 hertz. Look at the electrical label to know for sure.  

Choosing the Right Hand Dryer for Your Needs

To select the best hand dryer for your facility, consider your building’s existing electrical infrastructure. If you’re in a commercial building with 220-240V wiring, a high voltage hand dryer may be the ideal choice, saving time and money on installation. However, if your space has standard 110-120V outlets, a low voltage hand dryer would be the more convenient and cost-effective option.

Both options are designed to provide excellent performance, so once you know your building’s setup, you can confidently choose the right hand dryer voltage for your needs.

Berl's Can Help You Choose

Navigating hand dryer voltage options can seem complex, but Berl’s is here to make it simple. We carry both high voltage and low voltage hand dryers to suit any commercial or residential setup, and our team can help you determine which is best for your specific requirements. Contact Berl’s to learn more about our range of hand dryers and find the perfect fit for your facility. Whether you need a high voltage or low voltage hand dryer, Berl’s has the expertise and selection to support you in creating a comfortable and efficient restroom experience.