Single phase and 3 phase are common power supply systems used in homes, offices, and industries to run machinery and appliances. Both have their specific mechanics, uses, and benefits.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about 3 phase power, its benefits, and how it differs from single phase power.
In simple words, a phase is a power supply. A simple phase has a live wire and a neutral wire. Electricity requires a complete circuit to run which means that only a live wire supplying electricity isn’t enough, you need a neutral wire as well.
In a simple power supply or phase, the live wire supplies the current, and the neutral wire gives it a path to go back, hence completing the circuit. There are two types of current, Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC). AC is generally used for homes and offices to run appliances, computers, refrigeration, and for air conditioning. Whereas DC is mostly used for industrial purposes.
AC current runs on a specific frequency. Take AC as a wave for example. The current peaks at one point, supplying the highest voltage while reaching its lowest at the other. Both ends are at an angle of 180 degrees from each other. Every region has a specific voltage for AC that is supplied for domestic purposes.
A large amount of current is supplied through electricity lines, which is then converted into AC using transformers. Similarly, some devices convert AC to DC to work.
A single phase power supply has three wires; a live one, a neutral one, and an earth. The live wire supplies the AC whereas the neutral wire completes the circuit to run the appliance. The earth wire is a safety wire that minimises damage in case of a short circuit.
Single phase is mostly used in homes and offices to supply electricity to appliances and computers. These devices require medium to low power, which is why a single phase is suitable for them.
A 3 phase power supply, as you can guess from its name, has three separate currents. These three currents are at an angle of 120 degrees apart from each other. Unlike single phase power, 3 phase does not have conventional cycles of highs and lows. To better understand, imagine 3 waves carrying separate currents moving at the same time. Because of this, 3 phase supplies twice as much power as compared to a single phase.
A 3 phase power supply has 4 wires, 3 are live wires while one is neutral. Since it delivers more power, 3 phase is mostly used to run heavy machinery in industries, data centres, and factories. It is supplied to huge commercial buildings and towers which require more power to run properly.
The first major difference between a 3 phase and single phase is that a 3 phase power supply supplies twice as much power as a single phase power supply. Moreover, 3 phase supplies power consistently, whereas e a single phase power supply has a frequency and fluctuates between highs and lows.
Another huge difference is that where a 3 phase supply requires an additional wire, the total width of wires used in a 3 phase supply is less than that used in a single phase to supply the amount of power.
There is a huge difference in the maximum voltage of the two supplies as well. A single phase can only provide a max voltage of 230 Volts, whereas a 3 phase supplies a max voltage of 415 Volts. Overall, the 3 phase power supply is much more efficient compared to the single phase.
The biggest benefit of a 3 phase supply is that it delivers twice as much power as a single phase supply. Large commercial industries, office towers, and other industries all rely on 3 phase power as it is much more efficient than single phase.
