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If you live in Australia, there’s a high chance that your home uses single-phase power. However, larger homes may use 3-phase power. With such homes, you can typically see several overhead cables on the street poles.
In this article, you can learn about the signs that indicate you need a 3-phase power installation. The post also explains single-phase and three-phase power, their differences, and how to identify your home’s power type. Read on to learn more!
What is Single-Phase Power?
You can find single-phase power supply in many homes and businesses as it is used for most appliances. It has an active and neutral wire, and the power supply is around 240 volts.
What is Three-Phase Power?
Three active wires and one neutral wire are in a 3-phase power supply. A significant advantage of 3-phase power is that it gives you the option of having an electricity supply that provides both 240V and 415V.
In addition, you have access to 3-phases and triple the amount of power compared to single-phase supplies. 3-phase power is commonly installed in industrial and commercial settings. This is because it can better meet the electrical demands of large and powerful appliances.
Single-Phase Vs. Three-Phase Power
Read on for some single vs. 3-phase power differences:
- Single-phase power has two wires consisting of an active and a neutral wire. Three-phase power has three active wires and a neutral one.
- As such, three-phase power provides more power to your home.
- Furthermore, a three-phase connection can meet the demand for high-power supply appliances such as air conditioners and pool pumps.
- However, you should note that three-phase power installations cost more than those for single-phase power supplies.
Five Signs Indicating the Need for 3-Phase Power
Continue reading for five signs you need a 3-phase power installation.
Flickering or dimming lights when using appliances
Starting powerful motors or switching on electric hot water systems may cause your lights to flicker dimly if you use a single-phase supply. If you notice this, you may need a 3-phase power supply to run these devices without draining your power supply.
Trips when running multiple appliances at the same time
If you have a larger home, you will likely have more power points, 240V cooking appliances, and even 415V 3-phase air conditioning systems. As such, you are more likely to need to upgrade to a 3-phase supply to meet electrical system loads.
You would not want to overload your single-phase power and cause nuisance trips. If you have large appliances such as solar inverters, large air conditioners, and large electric cooktops, it is best to upgrade to 3-phase power. Doing this allows you to safely use them simultaneously without tripping your circuits.
Power fluctuations
You may need a 3-phase power installation if your property draws a lot of power or specific tasks are causing power fluctuations.
Examples of these tasks include the following:
- Running of extensive ducted air conditioning (especially those with cooling capacities of 15 kilowatts and above).
- Powering of large pool filter pumps.
- Running high-power demanding fridges and freezers.
Reduced energy efficiency in data centres
Today’s data centres and server rooms have higher densities and demand increasing amounts of power. There are more powerful computer systems, and servers and networks draw more electrical power.
If you cannot power your IT rack of multiple servers or the energy efficiency is low, you may need a 3-phase power installation. Likewise, you may need 3-phase power to increase energy efficiency and reduce the wiring thickness requirement for powering the rack.
Inability to charge electric cars or use solar PVs
You may need to install 3-phase power before using your solar PV – although the size of your solar panels is also a factor. Similarly, you may want to install a home EV charging point if you want to charge electric cars such as Tesla EVs.
How to Identify the Power Type of Your Home
Head over to your switchboard and check the main switch. You likely have a single-phase electricity supply if the main switch is 1 pole wide and a 3-phase power supply if it is 3 poles wide.
Meanwhile, if you check your fuse box and have three black rectangular cartridges or fuses, your home uses three-phase power. On the other hand, if there is a single fuse, you are using single-phase power.
Alternatively, you may check the specifications written on your electricity phase meter or electric meter box. However, if you find it too hard to understand, you can find out your power type from your electricity distributor. Check your electricity bill for their details.
Benefits of Having Solar and Three-Phase Power
You may notice a trend for newly built homes to install 3-phase power connections rather than single-phase connections. The same thing applies to those who are renovating or building new homes.
It is essential to decide on time if you prefer a single-phase or 3-phase power connection. This can save you some extra effort in the future, and you can enjoy the energy efficiency of a three-phase power supply earlier.
You need to install a three-phase solar inverter to get the best out of a 3-phase power connection and a solar power system. This inverter is understandably more expensive than a single-phase solar inverter.
Nonetheless, the energy-saving benefits of three-phase power translate more definitively in reducing your household power bills if you combine it with rooftop solar electricity.
Other benefits of using a three-phase power connection and a solar system unit include the following:
- Installing solar batteries and solar panels in your home allows you to add energy-intensive appliances without extra costs.
- A power unit comprising solar panels and battery storage is sufficient to power your home all day long.
- Furthermore, a residential or commercial solar electricity solution and a three-phase power combination can allow easy, fast charging of electric vehicles.
- With a three-phase connection, you can export more solar to the grid than a single phase. Moreover, there is the added benefit of receiving a solar feed-in.
- The voltage rises that trip off solar inverters in single-phase homes tend to be almost non-existent with three-phase power supplies.
- You can also charge electric cars much more quickly than when using a single-phase.
How to Get Three-Phase Power Supply
- Contact your Distributed Network Service Provider to know if you can have three-phase power supplied to you.
- They can also tell you how much solar can go with three-phase power and the surplus solar power you can export.
- Some necessary costs to budget for include the cost of a 3-phase power connection, solar pricing, battery prices, and EV charger prices.
- Note that you need a suitable size solar panel system if you want to optimise the 3-phase power connection, battery storage, and fast EV charging.
- It would be best if you used a licensed electrician who is level 2 qualified to perform upgrades to 3-phase power. They can handle requirements such as installing a fresh circuit board and replacing existing supply cables.
Things to Consider Before Solar PV Installations
You need to think about certain factors when installing solar PVs.
The type of phase
You need to keep what type of phase you have in mind when installing solar PV systems. You need to specifically install a single-phase solar inverter if you are using a single-phase connection.
However, you have several options if you wish to use a 3-phase connection. In this case, you should install a 3-phase inverter so that the solar power gets an even distribution across all three phases.
Do note that if you install a single-phase inverter on one of the phases, the inverter may trip out when the voltage on the phase is too high. In addition, the solar energy flow may not be in the phase with the most demand. Consequently, it is essential that your solar installer determines the best phase for the installation so you do not waste your solar energy.
Size of the solar system
There is a limitation on the size of a solar system you can install if you have a single-phase connection. Generally, you are required to seek special approval from your utility company before connecting large solar PV systems to the grid in remote areas.
When to Call in Licensed Electricians
Read on for a highlight of some of the services of a commercial or domestic electrician.
Installation of high-energy equipment
You may need to call your local electrician to renovate or install high-energy appliances. This includes the installation of sophisticated electronic equipment. An example is car charger installation.
Electrical upgrades
You may need the services of a licensed electrician to get your switchboard upgraded or to install solar power systems. They can provide up-front solar quotes as well.
Performing electrical safety inspections
Your emergency electricians can resolve issues such as faulty smoke alarms, tripping circuits and electric meter issues after safety inspections.
Installation of ceiling fans and other electrical components
Good electricians can perform ceiling fan installations and even get all things electrical installed.
Get a Professional Electrician to Help You
You may find that certain phases consume a lot of electricity and even see some signs that you need a 3-phase power installation. After reading this post on 5 signs, you need 3-phase power installation, your next step should be to get professional help. Only use qualified, experienced, and licensed electrical contractors for your commercial or residential electrical needs.
