"Michael Kennedy" mike@com wrote in message
...

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...
On 1/24/2011 7:40 PM Michael Kennedy spake thus:

"David Nebenzahl" wrote in message
s.com...

I'm posting this to try to settle an argument going on in another
newsgroup (alt.home.repair) about phases in electrical power.

SNIP And you have started another arguement here. haha..

Honestly this is a question that I have always had, and can't understand
why it isnt called 2 phase. Unless there is something to the picture I
am unaware of.

This qustion will enevetably be debated to the end of time. It is kind
of like discussing poloitcs or religion..

Well, it really shouldn't be like that. I mean, look, we're discussing a
well-known, measurable phenomenon. The output of the center-tapped
transformer can be demonstrated to supply two separate and distinct
phases. Hell, hook up two 'scopes and see what they show.

It's just that the 'lectric-heads--the lunks who install distribution
panels and such--won't let us *call* it "2-phase" for several dubious
reasons. Doesn't change the fact that it IS two-phase power. That's what
I'm getting at. I'm not trying to force anyone to change their
terminology or give up their superstitious beliefs; I know that that's
futile.



Unfortunately. Maybe we should more generic terminology to describe this.
There is a difference in the phase of the two legs off of a center tapped
transformer. This can not be argued. Anyone who argues so can go hook up a
couple scopes for themselves as you suggested.

Maybe the confusion exsists because of the nature of two seperate phase
(split phase) power vs 3. Correct me if I am wrong, but any device
requiring 240V could be powered by 2 legs of a center tapped 7200V==120V
N 120V transformer or could be powered by a 7200V==240V transformer with
the same results.

That said Im sure someone will tell me why my theory of why this is a
confusion is wrong..

- Mike

Hmm.. I must have not drank my coffee yet when I wrote this.. 3 phase would
operate the same way therefore making this all bunk.