What is the difference between Single phase and 3 Phase Electric Power rating systems?
The AC electric power supplied from a power station is commonly three phase. Three phase power is transmitted along three supply lines. Single phase power can be drawn from a connection across one of these lines and a neutral line. Usually all household appliances use single phase power available from standard 15 Amp household power points. Higher power industrial motors or large air-compressor units often use three phase power, which is a higher voltage and requires permanent wiring. These devices cannot be powered by plugging them into a standard single phase household power point.
