Is single-phase electricity the same as split-phase electricity?

The answer is no, split-phase electricity is twice as much as single-phase electricity in terms of voltage, and split-phase electricity is more useful than single-phase electricity.

Single-phase electricity

Single-phase electricity refers to a firewire, firewire, also known as the power line and phase line a neutral wire composed of the form of electrical output, the power line into the load 120-volt voltage, and sometimes even the ground wire as a safety net, most of the families are using single-phase appliances.

Split-phase electricity

Split-phase power does not mean a single 240-volt voltage, but by the two 120-volt power lines connected to the neutral wire in series, both power lines contain 120 voltage. It is usually utilized for high power appliances such as ovens.

Single-phase and split-phase difference

(1) different voltages, single-phase power supply contains only one power line, split-phase voltage contains two power lines, a power line can only provide 120 volts, so the split-phase power supply can provide 240 volts, but single-phase power can only be 120 volts.

(2) different operating power, split-phase power has a higher voltage, in the same current under the split-phase power supply can provide electrical power than single-phase power supply twice.

(3) safety and practicality, in common North American families have 120 volts and 240 volts at home, the use of split-phase power transmission, the face of small power appliances, you can choose to use one of the power cord will only produce 120 volts, when the use of air conditioners, refrigerators and other high-power appliances when using two power cords, when any kind of circumstances touch the power cord will only be subjected to the 120-volt voltage. Impact, relatively safe.

(4) heat loss, the power of each appliance is a certain according to P = UI, 120 volts than 240 volts in the circuit of the current is larger, according to Joule’s law, the use of 120 volts of heat loss of 240 volts four times.

(5) Different configurations, single-phase power supplies have only one power cord, split-phase power supplies use 2 power cords, each of which is 120 volts.

(6) Phase Shift, split-phase power supplies have each power cord offset by 180 with respect to the neutral wire, whereas single-phase power supplies are relatively parallel.

(7) Cost-effective, using 120-volt single-phase power supply circuit current is greater, in order to carry more current to use more out of the copper wire, the use of split-phase power supply costs less, saving materials.

(8) Wideness, Europe and the United States in the family of electrical appliances have different power to use single-phase power supply can not meet the use of a variety of electrical appliances, the use of split-phase power supply can be adapted to a variety of electrical appliances according to the choice.

(5) Will my appliances be damaged if I don’t separate the currents of different phases?

In fact, for the split-phase power supply he can be utilized by any electrical appliances, so there will be no damage, so the refrigerator, such as high-power appliances using single-phase power how will it be? In fact, it will not damage the appliance only if it is connected to a high voltage it will burn out the appliance, connecting to a low voltage will only reduce the power used.

Conclusion

Single-phase and split-phase in the access to the power supply in different ways, the number of power lines is different so that the split-phase power supply has a higher degree of adaptability, but also reduces the transmission of energy loss, single-phase and split-phase is not the same.