When electricity was first discovered there was a huge debate about whether AC or DC power was best, fortunately AC won out because DC switching would have been a huge problem and AC motors are cheaper. But it evolved so that single phase was used almost exclusively in residential buildings although three phase is available on most power poles. In the early days there was no air conditioning or heat pumps so with electricity used primarily for lighting there was no need for the extra expense of running two more wires to the building. So that is how it evolved.
Three phase motors are smaller, use less copper, are more efficient, and are more reliable. They do not require expensive start and run capacitors which are another source of failures. They are widely used for heating and cooling in buildings where three phase power is available. Since most residential buildings power usage is mostly the heating and cooling it should be mandatory that new or remodeled (where justifiable) buildings spend the relatively minor money to run the two (or three, delta or Y) extra wires necessary to install energy saving three phase. Three phase motors are readily available for Heating/AC units and could be for larger appliances.
This switchover would have to start with code enforcement first suggesting it and then making it part of the building code where it is practical, in new housing projects, etc.
I am no expert on any of this and there are probably experts that could add a lot to my suggestions. There could also be a fly in the ointment that makes the idea impractical but to me it seems like a way to save our dwindling resources and energy while saving money.
I would welcome any ideas or information about implementing any of this.
When electricity was first discovered there was a huge debate about whether AC or DC power was best, fortunately AC won out because DC switching would have been a huge problem and AC motors are cheaper. But it evolved so that single phase was used almost exclusively in residential buildings although three phase is available on most power poles. In the early days there was no air conditioning or heat pumps so with electricity used primarily for lighting there was no need for the extra expense of running two more wires to the building. So that is how it evolved.
Three phase motors are smaller, use less copper, are more efficient, and are more reliable. They do not require expensive start and run capacitors which are another source of failures. They are widely used for heating and cooling in buildings where three phase power is available. Since most residential buildings power usage is mostly the heating and cooling it should be mandatory that new or remodeled (where justifiable) buildings spend the relatively minor money to run the two (or three, delta or Y) extra wires necessary to install energy saving three phase. Three phase motors are readily available for Heating/AC units and could be for larger appliances.
This switchover would have to start with code enforcement first suggesting it and then making it part of the building code where it is practical, in new housing projects, etc.
I am no expert on any of this and there are probably experts that could add a lot to my suggestions. There could also be a fly in the ointment that makes the idea impractical but to me it seems like a way to save our dwindling resources and energy while saving money.
I would welcome any ideas or information about implementing any of this.
We signed the "Saving energy and resources by using three phase power" petition!
# 32:
8:03 am PDT, Oct 31,Helle Collin, Denmark
# 31:
8:46 pm PDT, Sep 30,Glenn Brown, Nebraska
# 30:
8:59 am PDT, Aug 2,Brian McCowan, California
I love 3 phase motors, sign me up!
# 28:
5:50 am PDT, Jul 27,Ayaz ali Narejo, Pakistan
narejo
# 29:
5:50 am PDT, Jul 27,Ayaz ali Narejo, Pakistan
narejo
# 27:
5:29 am PDT, Jul 26,Octavian Paul Draja, Romania
# 26:
6:46 am PDT, Jul 25,Sylwia Podgórska, Poland
# 25:
4:35 am PDT, Jul 23,Thomas Pirovano, Switzerland
# 24:
6:46 pm PDT, Jul 15,Garth Rush, Texas
A workable solution with long term benfits
# 23:
7:33 pm PDT, Jul 2,Steve Dale, Australia
# 22:
8:55 am PDT, Jul 1,Carl Rosenstock, Wisconsin
# 21:
1:16 am PDT, Jul 1,Razvan V., Romania
# 20:
7:30 am PDT, Jun 30,L Waldron, Florida
# 19:
2:47 pm PDT, Jun 28,James Fields, Georgia
# 18:
1:59 am PDT, Jun 28,Gail Dair, Australia
# 17:
2:48 pm PDT, Jun 25,Mervi Rantala, Finland
# 16:
12:53 pm PDT, Jun 25,Lynn Barnes, Michigan
# 15:
8:57 am PDT, Jun 24,Erika Armoa Martínez, Paraguay
# 14:
8:19 am PDT, Jun 23,Jacqueline Robinson, Georgia
# 13:
8:14 am PDT, Jun 23,Amy Schumacher, Ohio
# 12:
6:44 am PDT, Jun 23,Chaz Gaily Berlusconi, South Africa
# 11:
8:34 pm PDT, Jun 22,Name not displayed, Nevada
Every City and Country in the World may use this very sound and workable idea. Study , use , and SAVE ! !.
# 10:
2:49 am PDT, Jun 22,Steve Klein, Virginia
# 9:
11:37 pm PDT, Jun 21,Pam Boland, Georgia
# 8:
7:56 pm PDT, Jun 21,Tatiana Costa, Brazil
# 7:
5:39 pm PDT, Jun 21,David Dunkleberger, Pennsylvania
# 6:
2:01 pm PDT, Jun 21,Mieke Bernaards, Belgium
# 5:
9:31 am PDT, Jun 21,Name not displayed, Illinois
# 4:
9:24 am PDT, Jun 21,Maureen Nowosad, Canada
# 3:
7:34 am PDT, Jun 21,David N Moore, Connecticut
# 2:
11:47 pm PDT, Jun 20,Marcin Sztwiertnia, Poland
# 1:
11:11 pm PDT, Jun 20,Jack McCowan, Nevada
I realize this is not the ideal platform for promoting this idea, perhaps working with government officials or large builders would be better, but perhaps by putting out this spur of the moment idea it will come to the attention of someone that does have some of those contacts that could make it evolve into something useful. I think the basic idea is sound. Let me know your thoughts on this.
