Is 3 phase like 240 where it seems like your getting more effieciency bit your actually not just less amps over more legs of power? Ex.. 120v 8amp pull verses 240v 4amp pull but on 2 legs so it's still pretty much the same cost?? Or am I totally off here??
3 phase is 3 conductors of AC current which provides a much more balanced power source.
3 phase motors are inherently much more energy efficient than single phase. I was reading an article a while back and a Japanese company has motors in the lab that are in the 98% efficiency range. Single phase motors are typically half as efficient as 3 phase.
I have a 1/2hp little giant pump that sucks 835 watts. By changing the motor to 3 phase, it drops to 352 watts.
Today's technology allows one to run 3 phase motors from single phase sources at less that 2% loss from having a true 3 phase power source. The use of variable frequency drives (motor controllers) allows this to happen. Some are better than others so you have to watch out.
I have a project at a farm where we are replacing (3) 25hp pumps and installing VFD's. Off the bat, the farmer get's a 60.00/hp rebate from the power company for installing this. I'll set these up to run between 70-80% pump rate. They will also be programmed to run in off peak hours. Typically between the hours of 5:00pm to 8:00am. The payback for the farmer is less than 6 months.
We do a lot of energy efficient stuff at work. We work with the power companies to get our customers these rebates.
It's a shame that more home owners do not know about these energy saving techniques. Electric motors consume more than half of the energy produced. Lighting is the next biggest draw.
Pretty interesting stuff.
