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▲ genewitch 2 days ago

US isn't single phase.

▲neallindsay 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

Even though our transmission is three-phase, most homes in the US only get single-phase power.

▲genewitch 2 days ago | parent [-]

I think this is a nit. "split-phase" is two 120V legs 180 degrees out of phase with each other. The word "phase" is starting to look spelled wrong to me, right now. I don't see the fundamental difference between "two phases [...]" and what i said "not single-phase"

I understand wye and three-phase power, and i also understand that when we plug into a scared face outlet[0], that is a "single phase" - but the stuff delivered to our house is two phases of 120VAC, 180 degrees out of phase.

again, it's a nit. you can use two conductors on a three-phase system and get a single phase, as well.

[0] NEMA 5-15R

▲neallindsay a day ago | parent [-]

My comment was less a nit and more I didn't understand how it really worked! Thanks for correcting me.

▲quickthrowman 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

I sell and run union electrical work for a living in the United States.

Residential power in the US is 120/240V single-phase (split phase). Utility distribution is three-phase and virtually every commercial and industrial electrical service is three-phase, with the rest being 120/240V single-phase.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power