On 1/22/2011 4:49 PM Phil Allison spake thus:

"Jeffrey Angus"

Welllll ... that's pretty much what I wrote. So I take it you
agree with me that it is, in fact, 2-phase power, correct?

In a word, no.

Power distribution being what it is, the 240/120 transformer on the
pole is sourced with _ONE_ phase of the 3-phase feed for the
area.

** Totally irrelevant how the 2-phase is derived.

That there is a center tap allowing for 120/120 or 240 loads is
immaterial. It's STILL single phase.

** Pedantic nonsense.

There are two AC waves that differ only in phase and if both "phases" are
loaded equally, the neutral current is zero.

So it is completely analogous to 3-phase power.

The 90 degree system is just an obsolete odd ball only a moronic pedant
would even mention.

I have to say I totally agree with Phil here. Especially the reference
to "true" 2-phase power brought up in this argument (the one over on
a.h.r), meaning that totally antiquated and obsolete system.

Those with which I disagree seem to think that just because the two
phases aren't somehow manufactured separately, by two different windings
of a generator or some such, that the center-tapped xfmr can't possibly
supply two separate phases, when it so clearly does just that.


--
Comment on quaint Usenet customs, from Usenet:

To me, the *plonk...* reminds me of the old man at the public hearing
who stands to make his point, then removes his hearing aid as a sign
that he is not going to hear any rebuttals.