What Is 3-Phase power and Do I Need It?

×
Back to blog

Most homes in Australia have single phase power but if you have larger home, you might be connected to the grid by 3 phase power. Electricity is generated and distributed in 3 phases which is why you see multiple overhead cables on the poles in the street. Having 3 phases allows us to have both 240V and 415V power from the same electricity supply.

Here are tips from Kenner Electrics, your reliable Eastern Melbourne Electrician!

What is the difference between Single Phase and 3 Phase power?

Single phase power has two wires; an active and a neutral. It supplies power at around 240 volts and is used in homes and businesses for most appliances and lighting.

A three phase power supply has four wires; three actives and one neutral, and supplies power at both 240V and 415V. When we bring 3 phase supply into a home it triples the amount of power available. This is because we have access to all 3 phases, so essentially this means we have 3 x single phase supplies connected.

In larger homes that might have hundreds of power points, lots of 240V cooking appliances and larger 415V 3 phase air-conditioners, having access to more power is essential to make sure that a single phase is not overloaded which will cause it to nuisance trip.

So why would I need 3 Phase power at home?

3 phase power is able to cope with the electricity demands of larger and more powerful appliances. This is why it is more commonly used in commercial and industrial settings for driving big pieces of equipment that need a lot of power. But you may need it for your home if you have a big air-conditioning system, large electric cooktop, powerful instantaneous electric hot water system or a home workshop with machinery. Upgrading to 3 phase power will mean you can safely run all your appliances simultaneously without worrying about them tripping the circuits.

Most small homes and apartments don’t need 3 phase power as all their appliances and power needs will run perfectly well on single phase supply. But if you’re renovating or adding high-energy appliances, talk to your electrician to get advice on whether you need three phase power connection.

Follow this link to our website for more information about supply upgrades including how much it costs.

Linesman in cherry picker doing electricity supply upgrade

How do I know which type of power I have at my house?

Have a look at your main switch in your switchboard. If it is 1 pole wide (about 1 finger width), then your electricity supply is single phase. If the main switch is 3-pole wide (about 3 finger widths), then you’ve likely got 3 phase power.

Another way to tell is that it’s usually written on your electricity meter. But if the jargon on your electricity meter is too hard to figure out, you can just give your electricity distributor (such as United Energy) a call and they’ll be able to let you know.

What do I do if I need to upgrade to 3 phase power?

If you need to upgrade to 3 phase power, or if you’re building a new home with large power needs, get in contact with Kenner Electrics. Our qualified electricians will be able to help you through the entire process, and will submit all the paperwork to the electricity distributor on your behalf.

Related Posts :

- Why You Need Security Lighting and CCTV Installation?

- Why an Electrical Safety Inspection is Important?

- How To Solve the Problem of Tripping Circuits?

Why Choose Kenner Electrics?

Kenner Electrics is your trusted local electrician. We have a friendly and professional team of highly qualified, experienced and licensed electricians ready to handle all your commercial and residential electrical needs.

We provide up-front pricing with a clear explanation of the work required to avoid cost overruns. We provide prompt and efficient service and prioritise safety on each and every job. We are fully insured, licensed and accredited, we're a member of the National Electrical & Communications Association, and we are a registered electrical contractor with Energy Safe Victoria. We always provide compliance certificates for all completed electrical installation work.

We're one of the top rated electricians in Melbourne with over 300 genuine 5-star reviews from residential and business customers just like you.

Call our friendly team on (03) 9996 0663 or contact us online now.

Tidy and reliable electrician Melbourne

There's plenty of ways to get in touch With Us Today

Phone

(03) 9996 0663

We're always ready to talk to you about your job.

Email

sales@kennerelectrics.com.au

Send through an email, and we'll respond during business hours.

Enquire Online

Submit an enquiry form online

Fill out an enquiry form on our website, and we'll respond within one business day.

Fill Out our enquiry Form Below

As your local electrician, we promise friendly, professional customer service. On the job and after, you're safe with us.

Thanks! Your enquiry has now been sent and we will get back to you soon.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.