What is 3 phase electricity and how does three phase power work, learn Wye Delta loads and neutral currents, how and where three phase electricity is used, why 3 phases, how the generator works to produce 3 phase sine waves. Three-phase electric power is a common type of alternating current (AC) used in electricity generation, transmission, and distribution.
source.image: The Engineering Mindset
It is a type of polyphase system employing three wires (or four including an optional neutral return wire) and is the most common method used by electrical grids worldwide to transfer power. Three-phase electrical power was developed in the 1880s by several people. In three-phase power, the voltage on each wire is 120 degrees phase shifted relative to each of the other wires. Watch the video from The Engineering Mindset for more info:
Because it is an AC system, it allows the voltages to be easily stepped up using transformers to high voltage for transmission and back down for distribution, giving high efficiency.
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Three-phase systems may have a fourth wire, common in low-voltage distribution. This is the neutral wire. The neutral allows three separate single-phase supplies to be provided at a constant voltage and is commonly used for supplying multiple single-phase loads. The connections are arranged so that, as far as possible in each group, equal power is drawn from each phase.
