I have a few questions regarding 3 phase electricity. I would like to think i have a reasonable basis in domestic wiring but know very little about 3 phase. I am fully aware that putting into practice some of what i say here would be very dangerous. I am asking purely out of curiosity.
1. I understand that in single-phase systems the current on the live should be very similar to the neutral current. But in three-phase you have only one neutral and if the load on each phase is balanced there will be very little current on the neutral. How does this work? Lets say i had 3 phases installed in my home and hence have 3 individual fuse boards. Is only one neutral still required? I just don't understand.
2.IF somebody were to have a single-phase service and want to power a 3-phase saw for example, what would happen IF they were to connect the phase to phase 1 connection and loop it into the connections for phase2 and 3.
3. Are all phases in a 3-phase system at the same voltage? (i.e. 230V) If you were to short two of these together, would you see an arc and have large current flowing (like a live/neutral short in domestic) If so why?
4. This question refers to industrial premises where 'emergency stop' switches are used in conjunction with a solenoid.
If one of these switches were to break lets say. Would it be possible to remove the switch and connect the 2? Wires (i believe these switches are single phase) in order to have power again.
These questions show a great lack of knowledge with regard to these systems. I am aware of this, and as stated above am asking these questions purely out of interest.
I would be very grateful if somebody took the time to enlighten me.
Thanking You,
Declan.
1. I understand that in single-phase systems the current on the live should be very similar to the neutral current. But in three-phase you have only one neutral and if the load on each phase is balanced there will be very little current on the neutral. How does this work? Lets say i had 3 phases installed in my home and hence have 3 individual fuse boards. Is only one neutral still required? I just don't understand.
2.IF somebody were to have a single-phase service and want to power a 3-phase saw for example, what would happen IF they were to connect the phase to phase 1 connection and loop it into the connections for phase2 and 3.
3. Are all phases in a 3-phase system at the same voltage? (i.e. 230V) If you were to short two of these together, would you see an arc and have large current flowing (like a live/neutral short in domestic) If so why?
4. This question refers to industrial premises where 'emergency stop' switches are used in conjunction with a solenoid.
If one of these switches were to break lets say. Would it be possible to remove the switch and connect the 2? Wires (i believe these switches are single phase) in order to have power again.
These questions show a great lack of knowledge with regard to these systems. I am aware of this, and as stated above am asking these questions purely out of interest.
I would be very grateful if somebody took the time to enlighten me.
Thanking You,
Declan.