Higher Voltage seems Easier to use....a 600 Volt Setup of similar size would Draw Less Amperage than say a 240 Volt Setup...so you could use Smaller AWG Wire....more dangerous though.
Yep this would only draw 2 amps VS 10 at 120, I dont find this a odd voltage its 5 times 120 just like 480 is 4 time 240 is 2 Etc. and yes it is very heavy maybe about 30 pounds, it is quite larger then my multi tap one.
We've recently seen the different line voltages at school, and 600V is usually combined with 347V, like 120V is combined with 240V. 347/600V is generally for three-phase power though (between a phase and neutral = 347V, and I think between two phases 600V)