I agree that having three phase supply to one's home in addition to the split-phase is unusual. It does happen, though. Numerous industrial sites are supplied by the power company with three phase.

One does not, however run three phase motors on single phase current. Not without risking damage to them. Three phase motors are designed to run on three phase power. You claim your radial arm saw and A/C have three phase motors. I ask for evidence of this, as I believe them to be single phase motors. (Either that or you've got a phase converter hiding somewhere.)

I don't know which "second paragraph" you refer to. But if you can help me find it, I will indeed re-examine it and consider it carefully.

P.S.: I can't tell when Jupiter aligns with Mars, but I know a three phase breaker panel when I see one.

 

Sure been a lot of posts recently about single phase, split phase and three phase AC power and wiring. There also seems to be a lot of misconceptions and misinterpretations and misuse of terms. Maybe everyone is correct, just using terms wrong and not able to communicate it well to each other

I've given up trying to explain or correct people on it. I worked in a refinery that used all those different power phase methods and voltages up to 24kv. I've seen 3 phase delta and star wiring methods. I really didn't enjoy working around the electrician guys as it really was hard work sometimes for them and their main troubleshooting tools seem to be comprised of their eyes and sense of smell rather then their brains. Working on conduct systems sucks.

Phases of the moon is more interesting. Anyone else see the full moon Saturday night, I read it's the largest (closest to the Earth) full moon of the whole year for 2009.

Lefty

 

I've worked with with three phase, it agrees with the theory in the several books/sites I've listed.

I'm not a licensed electrician, so some of the terminology may escape me, such as split phase. The theory however is pretty basic. I've also had hands on with split phase. They are very different, and easy to spot from each other. One obvious difference, 120VAC = 1 breaker, split phase 240VAC = 2 linked breakers, 3 phase = 3 linked breakers.

At this point I have concluded this is another endless arguement, much like some other discussions we've had around here. I don't come to this site for that, so I'm done.

Books and people can teach, but only to those willing to listen and learn.

 

Perehaps Wikipedia should have the ast word since it is N America orientated.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_power

Note the following quote for using three phase equipment on single phase supply

Another method often attempted is with a device referred to as a static phase converter. This method of running three phase equipment is commonly attempted with motor loads though it only supplies ⅔ power and can cause the motor loads to run hot and in some cases overheat. This method will not work when sensitive circuitry is involved such as CNC devices, or in induction and rectifier type loads.

Also about single to three phase convertors

Because single-phase power goes to zero at each moment that the voltage crosses zero but three-phase delivers power continuously, any such converter must have a way to store energy for the necessary fraction of a second.

And again about American domestic wiring

Most household loads are single phase. In North America and some other countries, three phase power generally does not enter homes. Even in areas where it does, it is typically split out at the main distribution board and the individual loads are fed off a "single" phase

 

To all,
Please stop my membership to AAC. I no longer want to particpate in futile arguements with undisciplined, uneducated members.
Dan