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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
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G
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Does anyone else have problems when they hear people call 120/240 1p "split phase" or even "2 phase"?

Yikes it sets my teeth on edge.

The problem is even Wikipedia and a few panel manufacturers use the term split phase in their documentation.
Split phase is one way to wire a motor and there is only one phase in your household panel with 2 ungrounded conductors derived from one 240v secondary that just happens to have a grounded center tap. It is simply single phase, nothing else.

... or am I just being too pedantic?


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 947
T
twh Offline
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What do you think of the term "three-way switch?"

What bugs me is putting the question mark inside the last quotation mark.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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Greg:

Here is a link to "2 phase", courtesy of Scott35

https://www.electrical-contractor.n...&Number=148672&page=3#Post148672

It's buried in the Tech area.


John
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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I saw this only once, many, many years ago as a helping hand with one of the 'old timer' ECs in Philadelphia.

It was different, and scary back then.



John
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,335
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If I'm not mistaken, it was used with street cars mainly back in the day. Not sure how or it's practicality


"Live Awesome!" - Kevin Carosa
Joined: Jul 2004
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G
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Maybe somewhere but I think the streetcars in DC used 600vdc, picked up with a "plow" and the return was the track.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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I know it was not on any streetcars, it was n a house of worship in Center City. A sub-basement, way down below grade, and that made it scarier. Heck, if there was any issue, noone would have found us.



John
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 814
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How about "It's a two way switch" or calling a 4 gang a "four way" or when the electricity stops it's a "short" or "I need two-twenty" or "I need a 200 volt upgrade"

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
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Member
I found this dictionary , but it appears in need of some updating>>>


Quote
Phase.
In wave motion, oscillating motion, simple harmonic motion, or similar
periodic phenomena, the interval of time passed from the time the moving
particle moved through the middle point of its course to the instant
when the phase is to be stated


~S~

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 81
A
Member
Or the fact that in plumbing, an "open" valve allows flow and a "closed" valve stops it, while for electrical switches it's the opposite!

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