3 Phase Power vs Single Phase Power

How does Electrical Power work?

If you’re not electrically minded, think of 3 Phase vs Single Phase electric power as something
easier to visualize like mechanical power. They’re very different, but both deliver power using
pressure (force) and flow (speed). In both the power delivered is calculated by multiplying
pressure (force) times flow (speed).

In mechanical power, many terms describe the pressure or force (Foot Pounds, Pounds per
Square Inch, etc.) and many terms describe the speed or flow (Rotating Speed, Gallons per
Minute, etc.). In electric power, one term describes the pressure or force (Voltage) and two
terms describe the speed or flow (Current and Amperes).

In the earliest days Direct Current (DC), where the power flows in one direction like a water
hose, was the standard for delivering electrical power. Now Alternating Current (AC), where
the power flow is constantly alternating direction, is the standard for delivering electrical
power.

The standard for delivering electrical power changed from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating
Current (AC) because Alternating Current (AC) delivers electrical power more efficiently over
long distances.
 In the US, 60 Hertz (cycles per second) is the Alternating Current (AC) frequency.
 In some countries, 50 Hertz (cycles per second) is the Alternating Current (AC) frequency.
What is 1 (Single) Phase Power ?

If you’re not electrically minded, think of 1 (Single) phase power like a bicycle where only one
leg (phase) is pushing on one pedal rotating around a crankshaft axis (neutral).

1. Mechanically, power is calculated as leg pressure (Foot Pounds) times speed (Rotating
Speed).
2. Electrically, power is calculated as leg force (Voltage) times flow (Current).
Single Phase power is a two wire Alternating Current (AC) power circuit. Most people use
it every day because it’s the most common household power circuit and powers their lights, TV,
etc. Typically there’s one power wire and one neutral wire and power flows between the power
wire (through the load) and the neutral wire.
 In the US, 120V is the standard single phase voltage with one 120V power wire and one
neutral wire.
 In some countries, 230V is the standard single phase voltage with one 230V power wire
and one neutral wire.
What is 2 (Dual / Split) Phase Power ?

If you’re not electrically minded, think of 2 (Dual / Split) phase power like a bicycle where one
leg (phase) can push on one pedal, or both legs (phases) can push on both pedals (180 degrees
out of phase with one another) rotating around a crankshaft axis (neutral).

1. Mechanically, power is calculated as leg pressure (Foot Pounds) times speed (Rotating
Speed).
2. Electrically, power is calculated as leg force (Voltage) times flow (Current).
Dual Phase or Split Phase power is also Single Phase because it’s a two wire Alternating Current
(AC ) power circuit. In the US, this is the standard household power arrangement with two
(Phase A, Phase B) 120V power wires (180 degrees out of phase with one another) like two
bicycle pedals and one neutral wire. This arrangement is used in most US households because
of its flexibility.

 Low power loads (lights, TV, etc.) powered using either either of (2) 120V power circuits
 High power loads (Water Heaters, AC Compressors) powered using (1) 240V power circuit

What is 3 (Three) Phase Power ?

If you’re not electrically minded, think of 3 (Three) phase power like a three-cylinder engine
where three pistons (phases) located (120 degrees out of phase with one another)
push rotating around a crankshaft axis (neutral).

1. Mechanically, I’m not sure how to calculate the power.

2. Electrically, power is calculated as cylinder force (Voltage) times flow (Current) times 1.732
(Square Root of 3).
Three Phase power is a three wire Alternating Current (AC) power circuit. Most US commercial
buildings use a 3 Phase 4 Wire 208Y/120V power arrangement because of its power density and
flexibility. Compared to single phase, a 3 phase power arrangement provides 1.732 (the square
root of 3) times more power with the same current and provides (7) power circuits.

 Low power loads (Lights, etc.) powered using any of (3) 120V single phase power power
circuits
 Medium power loads (Water Heaters, etc.) powered using any of (3) 208V single phase
power circuits
 High power loads (HVAC Systems, etc.) powered using (1) 208V three phase power circuit
Most US industrial facilities use a 3 Phase 4 Wire 480Y/277V power arrangement because of its
power density. Compared to 208V 3 Phase, 480V 3 Phase provides 2.3 (480 /208) times more
power with the same current or 43% (208/480) less current with the same power. This yields
additional benefits.

 Reduced construction costs with smaller electrical service, wiring, conduits, and electrical
devices.
 Reduced energy costs will less energy lost as electrical current resistance (converted to
heat).

Three-phase electric power is a common method of alternating current electric

power generation, transmission, and distribution.

What HVAC means?

Short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The system is used to provide heating and
cooling services to buildings. HVAC systems have become the required industry standard for
construction of new buildings.

A power inverter, or inverter, is a power electronic device or circuitry that changes direct
current (DC) to alternating current (AC).
The input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and overall power handling depend on the
design of the specific device or circuitry. The inverter does not produce any power; the power is
provided by the DC source.

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically
reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction.

Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction, in contrast
to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is the form in
which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences, and it is the form of electrical
energy that consumers typically use when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions, fans and
electric lamps into a wall socket.
A common source of DC power is a battery cell in a flashlight. The abbreviations AC and DC are
often used to mean simply alternating and direct, as when they modify current or voltage.

How to Convert Watts to Volts

Watts can be converted to volts using current and a Watt’s Law formula, which
states that current is equal to power divided by voltage. We can change this
formula around a bit using algebra to restate it as voltage is equal to power
divided by current.
This is the formula to convert wattage to voltage:
Voltage(V) = Power(W) ÷ Current(A)
We can use this formula to solve for voltage by dividing the wattage by the
amperage.
For example, let’s convert 20 watts to volts using a DC circuit with 4 amps of
current.
Voltage(V) = 20 W ÷ 4 A
Voltage(V) = 5 volts
Conversion on an AC Circuit
Converting wattage to voltage on an AC circuit is pretty similar to a DC circuit,
with a slight change to account for the power factor of an AC circuit. For an AC
circuits, voltage is equal to the watts divided by the current in amps times the
power factor.
Voltage(V) = Power(W) ÷ (Current(A) × PF)
For example, let’s convert 1,300 watts to voltage, for an AC electrical circuit with
12 amps of current and a power factor of .9.
Voltage(V) = 1,300 W ÷ (12 A × .9)
Voltage(V) = 120.4 volts

https://www.inchcalculator.com/watts-to-volts-calculator/