Paul Wilkins Electricien
  • Home
  • Services
  • Who We Are
  • Blog
  • Fully Insured
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

3 Phase - it's a balancing act

12/6/2015

11 Comments

 
Picture
It is quite common in older French property to find that the electrical system is supplied in 3 phase, as opposed to single phase.  

When called to quote on electrical work on french properties by new proprietors, I am often asked what is the difference and what does it mean? And more often than not, there are numerous common problems such as when the kettle is switched on the power cuts off or when the hoover is used the power trips. This is because small electrical items can draw a large amount of current. E.g. A kettle can draw around 8amps for the period that it is boiling.

A 3 phase system can work well if you have and use a small amount of electrical appliances or a large incoming supply. With single phase these problems are less likely.  3 phase is a balance of loads. 

For example, using an incoming supply of 60amps [60A], the supply is split into 3 x 20A. Old houses in France usually have outbuildings so having 3 phase means that the supply might be split as follows: 20A for the house, 20A for the barn and 20A for the workshop. Bearing in mind that many years ago there would have been less use of electrical items such as kettles, hoovers, radios, tumble dryers, washing machines. Therefore, very little tripping of power in the kitchen. If you have purchased a property today with 3 phase and plug in all of your appliances – you are very quickly going to over draw on the 20A. E.g. a washing machine may draw 10amps, your freezer may draw 4-6 amps, then when you put the kettle on, another 8amps could be drawn and click you exceed the 20A and the power trips out. With single phase you have 60A feeding the house, you have one large supply coming directly to your dwelling. So your appliances can be switched on with no problem of overload.

I have recently worked on a property which had to be reverted back to 3 phase purely because there was not enough power to the house. I.e. it needed 90Amps minimum which could not be provided by single phase. Therefore I have had to very carefully balance all 3 phases at 30A.
​
No phase can be exceeded, so a qualified electrician has to carefully balance the phases so that should all items be working at one time the current drawn will not overload any of the phases.   
11 Comments
Kian F link
11/22/2020 04:06:42 am

Good reaading this post

Reply
Electrician Near Me link
5/15/2021 05:50:08 pm

Regulations are not just about the number of points or lights you can install on any single circuit. They are in place for safety reasons and an understanding of electrical principles is needed to fully understand their application.

Most DIY books will advise the basics but as regulations change periodically only electrical professionals will be fully conversant with the latest updates. Whilst it would be simple to list a series of current regulations for reference, they will be superseded at some stage. Professional advice should be sought as to the latest situation before commencing any installation work.

Reply
Electrician Near Me link
5/15/2021 05:50:15 pm

Regulations are not just about the number of points or lights you can install on any single circuit. They are in place for safety reasons and an understanding of electrical principles is needed to fully understand their application.

Most DIY books will advise the basics but as regulations change periodically only electrical professionals will be fully conversant with the latest updates. Whilst it would be simple to list a series of current regulations for reference, they will be superseded at some stage. Professional advice should be sought as to the latest situation before commencing any installation work.

Reply
Electrician Near Me link
5/15/2021 05:50:27 pm

Most DIY books will advise the basics but as regulations change periodically only electrical professionals will be fully conversant with the latest updates. Whilst it would be simple to list a series of current regulations for reference, they will be superseded at some stage. Professional advice should be sought as to the latest situation before commencing any installation work.

Reply
commercial electricians link
5/24/2022 06:41:19 pm

Electrical posts are under the scope of the national power organization. I wonder if there will be any collaboration with the private sector for commercial tasks.

Reply
electrical contractors north shore link
5/25/2022 06:45:58 pm

Salute to our fellow electricians who risk their lives just to give us convenience. Many of them has passed away while fulfilling their duty.

Reply
www.electriciansouthauckland.kiwi/ link
5/26/2022 06:42:54 pm

The most troubling times for an electrician is after a severe storm, many lines will surely be damaged, affecting homes.

Reply
allredelectric link
7/23/2022 10:11:53 pm

All Red Electric is a full-service electrical contractor, providing start to finish solutions for all types of construction projects in Calgary. Contact us NOW!

Reply
Braden Bills link
12/13/2022 07:11:32 am

I moved into an older home that seems to have an outdated electrical system. It makes sense that I would want to work with a professional to help me out with updating it! I can see how changing an electrical system could be pretty difficult.

Reply
Bianco Electric link
1/6/2023 09:16:09 am

Thanks for sharing this piece, really informative and helpful. I'd be using this for my upcoming post in biancoelectric.com. I really like the fact that you share the value and importance of our role as electrician helping every household be safe.

Reply
Electrician Red Deer link
1/10/2023 08:19:31 am

Thanks for sharing such a useful information.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    These brief blogs are brought to you by Paul Wilkins of Paul Wilkins Electricien.

    Archives

    February 2023
    March 2020
    January 2020
    February 2018
    September 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012

    Categories

    All
    3Phase
    Appliances
    Customers
    Diagnostics
    Electric Heating
    Electricity
    Gites
    Homes In France
    Hot Tubs And Swimming Pools
    Leisure
    Lighting
    Miscellaneous
    Rewire
    Safe Electrics
    Safety
    Smoke Detection
    Ventilation
    Work I Have Done

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.