Understanding 3 phase power and its advantages

You may already know that you cannot simply start using heavy appliances in your home or heavy industrial equipment, considering the type of power you have. Heavy machinery and devices may require 3-phase power, and you should understand 3-phase power and its advantages to run them effectively.

This post begins by considering single-phase and three-phase power supplies. Then, it looks at the advantages of three-phase power supplies over single-phase ones. You can also learn more about identifying single-phase and three-phase power, reasons to upgrade to 3-phase power, and steps to upgrade to three-phase power. Read on to learn more!

Single phase power explained

Single-phase power usually has a single source and is a type of power that is in everyday use today. It supplies a positive and negative voltage that generates a single-phase alternating current (AC) waveform. With a single phase, one active wire feeds your house with power. There is also one neutral wire.

Regular household appliances such as small heaters and ceiling fans can run on single-phase systems and can function well on 240V. However, you may have other electronic installations that won't run effectively on 240V. This includes appliances such as specific swimming pool systems and car chargers.

Three-phase power explained

Unlike single-phase power, three-phase power uses at least three sources to generate alternating currents (AC). The waveform here has three peaks that are individually 120 degrees apart. Three-phase and single-phase supplies use a neutral wire to return current to the source.

However, with three three-phase power supplies, three active wires feed your home. This helps to provide a better load distribution and to meet higher electrical demands. After all, there is balanced power distribution or better load balances across three phases or wires instead of one.

The live wires individually have electrical waves that are out of sync. As such, two of the three can deliver power at any point in time. Ultimately, there is more electricity supply for your appliances and installations. A 3-phase power supply provides up to 415V of power.

Advantages of 3-phase power

The advantages of 3-phase power over single-phase power go beyond power quality. You can use three-phase power for specific applications. Here are the significant benefits of three-phase power.

Higher amounts of power

In comparative terms, 3 phase power supplies hold up to three times more power than single-phase power supplies. There is more power and much more voltage available.

You can enjoy the benefits of an electricity supply that is generated and distributed to have 240V and 415V power.

Better energy control and flow

A three-phase power supply can use a smaller conductor size to provide equal power as a single-phase system. This is due to the smoother flow of current.

Increased efficiency

A three-phase power system supplies a higher voltage. Thus, it requires less current to supply the same amount of power. This reduces energy losses and improves efficiency in the system.

When to specifically use single-phase power

While 3-phase power has its advantages, there are times when you should use single-phase power instead. You should use single-phase power if you need to power or run a small appliance like a coffee maker or toaster. Single-phase power is enough for devices that do not need a lot of power. An example is a laptop computer.

3-phase supply needs of businesses

One way to know that you need a 3-phase power supply is to check what equipment you use in your business. Businesses that run large motors or require large machinery usually need three-phase power.

This provides such equipment with enough energy and electricity supply to function effectively. However, some machines run on a lower voltage and do not need much energy. In that case, you can run them on a single-phase power supply.

Three-phase supply usually requires multiple breakers and transformers. Usually, various circuits are routed into a single transformer or breaker box. As such, you will need three wires. This is unlike single-phase systems that make use of wires.

Identifying single-phase and three-phase power

First, locate and check your switchboard's main transfer switch. Simply open up your meter box and take a look. You can identify three-phase power through the number of switches or fuse cartridges.

There are three main switches in three-phase power and a single switch in single-phase connections. Alternatively, you can read the description on your electricity meter. A label may indicate whether you have a single or a three-phase meter.

The description may read "Single phase" for single-phase power supplies or "Three Phase" ("3-PH") for a three-phase power supply. Similarly, you can snap a picture of your meter box while the lid is open and send it to your local electrician for identification.

Reasons to upgrade to 3-phase power

You may consider upgrading to 3-phase power for the following reasons:

To meet the electrical demands of larger appliances

A three-phase power supply typically provides higher electrical power. Thus, it is ideal for large appliances such as hot water systems, large air-conditioning systems, or even machinery in home workshops. A three-phase connection can provide enough electricity and power capacity to run such equipment.

To simultaneously run multiple appliances

You risk overloading and tripping your circuit if you run multiple high-power appliances simultaneously on a single-phase power system. Instead, you should upgrade to a three-phase power system to overcome this limitation.

 To future-proof your home

You may very well need certain appliances in the future. For example, you may opt for Tesla EV vehicles (that require modern car charging points). Also, you may later wish to install solar inverters, swimming pool heaters, or more advanced A/C systems. These future upgrades will need 3-phase power to function efficiently.

AC power supply and electric motors

Your single-phase AC power supply is usually adequate for your home's lighting and electronic appliances. However, there are instances when zero energy is supplied to customer loads.

This is a problem if you wish to drive larger loads like electric motors. The energy levels that reach the equipment aren't enough. In addition, most types of single-phase motors will need a capacity for them to turn upon activation.

Otherwise, such motors may not turn at all. Besides, manufacturers of appliances such as refrigeration systems and metal working machines utilise three-phase motors in their designs for better efficiency. You cannot work with such machines if you do not install three-phase power.

Steps to upgrade to three-phase power

• First, you need to confirm whether 3-phase power is available in your vicinity. You can ask your power company.
• The supply cable from your street to your switchboard may need a replacement if it doesn't have three wires.
• Local electricians must also upgrade your switchboard with a new tariff meter.
• Likewise, your switchboard may need special three-phase circuit breakers.
• Small switchboards may need entire replacement and re-wiring.
• You may finally need to run new cables from your switchboard to every machine that runs on 3-phase power.
• The upgrade process may take several months, so you should contact your power company beforehand.

Three-phase power vs. network solutions systems

You may not give much thought to your electricity supply until you get a bill or an interruption. However, some data centre operators think beyond their network cable needs to choose more reliable electrical power solutions. Some of them even require solutions with uninterruptible power supplies.

PDU product selectors

For instance, there is a lot of interest in three-phase power distribution units (PDU). You can use a PDU product selector to choose an electrical solution that suits your network and facility needs.

Per outlet power sensing (POPS)

Likewise, a Per Outlet Power Sensing (POPS) can provide warning signs when your current and power factors reach low and high values.

KVM switches

While considering solutions for data centres, you can also think about IP KVM Switches, desktop KVM, and serial consoles. These hardware devices provide flexible and scalable access and control over network devices.

Contractors can help with phase power upgrades

This guide has provided a better understanding of 3-phase power and its advantages. You also know more about the advantages of 3-phase power and how to identify them.

However, inviting a licensed and qualified electrician to diagnose electrical faults and perform switchboard upgrades to meet your power consumption needs is advisable. They can also fix smoke alarms, perform electrical safety inspections, and meet your emergency electrician needs.