Single Phase or Three Phase
Single Phase or Three Phase
(OP)
Could someone please explain to me why when a device is tied into a three phase panel, and is fed with a two pole breaker, why is that device refered to as a single phase 208? From my understanding, it is drawing from two of the three phases 120 degrees from one another. Thanks for any assistance.






RE: Single Phase or Three Phase
If you add a neutral to the circuit, then you could argue that it should be called 2-phase. But 2-phase is usually intended for sources that are 90 degrees out of phase rather than 120 - and is fairly unusual in power systems.
RE: Single Phase or Three Phase
RE: Single Phase or Three Phase
RE: Single Phase or Three Phase
You probably don't refer to a household range as a 2-phase device even if it is connected to (2) hot conductors. So when describing a single phase transformer, instead of saying "it is drawing from two of the three phases" say it is drawing from 2 of the 3 line conductors and see if it is easier to explain.