Are you an EPFL student looking for a semester project?
Work with us on data science and visualisation projects, and deploy your project as an app on top of Graph Search.
Concept
Split-phase electric power
Summary
A split-phase or single-phase three-wire system is a type of single-phase electric power distribution. It is the alternating current (AC) equivalent of the original Edison Machine Works three-wire direct-current system. Its primary advantage is that, for a given capacity of a distribution system, it saves conductor material over a single-ended single-phase system, while only requiring a single phase on the supply side of the distribution transformer.
This system is common in North America for residential and light commercial applications. Two 120 V AC lines are supplied to the premises that are out of phase by 180 degrees with each other (when both measured with respect to the neutral), along with a common neutral. The neutral conductor is connected to ground at the transformer center tap. Circuits for lighting and small appliance power outlets (i.e., NEMA 1 and NEMA 5) use 120 V circuits—these are connected between one of the lines and neutral using a single-pole circuit breaker. High-demand applications, such as ovens, are often powered using 240 V AC circuits—these are connected between the two 120 V AC lines. These 240 V loads are either hard-wired or use NEMA 10 or NEMA 14 outlets which are deliberately incompatible with the 120 V outlets.
Other applications of a split-phase power system are used to reduce the electric shock hazard or to reduce electromagnetic noise.
A transformer supplying a three-wire distribution system has a single-phase input (primary) winding. The output (secondary) winding is center-tapped and the center tap connected to a grounded neutral. As shown in Fig. 1, either end to center has half the voltage of end-to-end. Fig. 2 illustrates the phasor diagram of the output voltages for a split-phase transformer. Since the two phasors do not define a unique direction of rotation for a revolving magnetic field, a split single-phase is not a two-phase system.
In the United States and Canada, the practice originated with the DC distribution system developed by Thomas Edison.
Official source
About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Ontological neighbourhood
Related courses (5)
EE-111: Circuits and systems
Ce cours présente une introduction à la théorie et aux méthodes d'analyse et de résolution des circuits électriques.
EE-370: Electric power systems
Ce cours décrit les composants d'un réseau électrique. Il explique le fonctionnement des réseaux électriques et leurs limites d'utilisation. Il introduit les outils de base permettant de les piloter.
MICRO-101: Electrotechnics II
En régime alternatif, les différents types de puissance sont introduites.
Les systèmes alternatifs triphasés et leurs charges sont traités.
Finalement, le cours traite des régimes transitoires, base d
Related concepts (10)
Ground and neutral
In electrical engineering, ground and neutral are circuit conductors used in alternating current (AC) electrical systems. The ground circuit is connected to earth, and neutral circuit is usually connected to ground. As the neutral point of an electrical supply system is often connected to earth ground, ground and neutral are closely related. Under certain conditions, a conductor used to connect to a system neutral is also used for grounding (earthing) of equipment and structures.
Residual-current device
A residual-current device (RCD), residual-current circuit breaker (RCCB) or ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is an electrical safety device that quickly breaks an electrical circuit with leakage current to ground. It is to protect equipment and to reduce the risk of serious harm from an ongoing electric shock. Injury may still occur in some cases, for example if a human receives a brief shock before the electrical circuit is isolated, falls after receiving a shock, or if the person touches both conductors at the same time.
Single-phase electric power
In electrical engineering, single-phase electric power (abbreviated 1φ) is the distribution of alternating current electric power using a system in which all the voltages of the supply vary in unison. Single-phase distribution is used when loads are mostly lighting and heating, with few large electric motors. A single-phase supply connected to an alternating current electric motor does not produce a rotating magnetic field; single-phase motors need additional circuits for starting (capacitor start motor), and such motors are uncommon above 10 kW in rating.
Related MOOCs (2)
Electrical Engineering II
Découvrez les systèmes alternatifs triphasés et leurs charges associées ainsi que les régimes transitoires, base des alimentations à découpage.
Electrical Engineering II
Découvrez les systèmes alternatifs triphasés et leurs charges associées ainsi que les régimes transitoires, base des alimentations à découpage.