SINGLE PHASE &

THREE PHASE SUPPLIES

Lecturer: Ms Laura Law Chun Mooi

Single Phase Supply
 Single Phase Supply
Power flows Through one conductor

Active

Neutral
Number of wire
Load

Requires 2 wires (one phase and one neutral) for completing the
circuit

Power Supply
connection

Carry 240V
Voltage
Single Phase Supply
Used in a less power is required and for running the small loads

House
Three Phase Supply
 Three Phase Supply
Power flows Through three conductors
Load
Active (Phase 1)

Active (Phase 2)

Active (Phase 3)
Number of wire
Neutral

Requires three phase wires and one neutral wire for completing
the circuit

Power Supply
connection

Voltage Carry 415V

Three Phase Supply
Used where a large amount of power is required.

Industries
Three Phase Supply

Bungalows Semi-detached house

Example of building

DK Senza PJS 7
Single Phase Supply

DK Senza
Three Phase Supply
Differentiate between
SINGLE PHASE &
THREE PHASE
SINGLE PHASE
vs
THREE PHASE
 Differentiate between
SINGLE PHASE & THREE PHASE
SINGLE PHASE THREE PHASE

Wave Shape

Only has one sine wave voltage Use three separate sine waves that are offset
120 degrees from each other
Peaks at 90 and 270, with a complete cycle at 360 Combines 3 alternating current at the same frequency,
Due to the peaks and dips, power is not delivered at a each 120 out of phase with each other
constant rate Produces 3 separate waves of power, where a steady
Power falls to zero 3 times per cycle stream of power is delivered at a constant rate
Power never drops to zero without another phase
supporting it
 Differentiate between
SINGLE PHASE & THREE PHASE
SINGLE PHASE THREE PHASE
Load
Active (Phase 1)
Number of wires Active
Active (Phase 2)

Neutral Active (Phase 3)

Load
Neutral

Requires 2 wires (one phase and one

Requires three phase wires and one neutral
neutral) for completing the circuit
wire for completing the circuit

Comes to the home with two wires: active Three-phase has four wires: three actives
and neutral. The neutral wire is connected (called phases) and one neutral. The
to earth (water pipe, earth stake, etc.) at neutral wire is earthed at the switchboard.
the switchboard.
 Differentiate between
SINGLE PHASE & THREE PHASE

SINGLE PHASE THREE PHASE

From distribution pole From distribution pole
from TNB from TNB
Power supply

connection

Outlet
With only one phase wire, if the
Power failure fault occurs on the network, then the
power supply completely fails.
Outlet
With three phase wire, if the fault occurs on
any one of the phases, the other two will
continuously supply the power.
 Differentiate between
SINGLE PHASE & THREE PHASE

SINGLE PHASE THREE PHASE

Carry 240V Carry 415V
Voltage

Used in places where less power is required and Used in large industries, factories and in the
Use of application for running the small loads. manufacturing unit where a large amount of power is
required.
 Differentiate between
SINGLE PHASE & THREE PHASE

SINGLE PHASE THREE PHASE

High
Flexibility Low a Delta power distribution unit (PDU) can be used when
there is only a need for 208VAC, while Wye PDUs are used
when there is a need for both 120VAC and 208VAC.

Efficiency Less efficient with its transferal of power

because its current only alternates between two
wires; therefore, there is a point in the process
where the electrical power in a single-phase
circuit drops to zero.
more efficient with the transferal of its electrical power as it
never allows the power to drop to zero, providing electrical
power to systems that demand more electricity.
 Advantages and
Disadvantages of Single
Phase Supply
 Advantages and Disadvantages
of Single Phase Supply
Advantages Disadvantages
Single phase system is more simple Power supply will completely fail if fault occurs on
the network
Single-phase motors need less maintenance than Less efficient with transferal of power
three-phase motors
A single phase load can be efficiently fed by a 3 A single phase motor draws more current than the
phase load or system equivalent 3-phase motor
Single phase motor has no starting torque and
requires an auxiliary means for starting
A single-phase generator is usually a little more
expensive than a three-phase of the same power
because of the cost increase of the alternator
 Advantages and
Disadvantages of Three
Phase Supply
Advantages and Disadvantages of
Three Phase Supply
Advantages Disadvantages
Three-phase circuits are more efficient with their transferal Increased cost and inconvenience of repairs
of electrical power
Only about 75 percent as much copper wire is required for Phase Sequence needed
distributing three-phase power
Three-phase machines and controls can be smaller, lighter Complex System
in weight
The frequency of vibrations is less as compared to single
phase
The three-phase transmission and distribution system is
economical as compare to single phase system

If the fault occurs on any one of the phases, the other two
will continuously supply the power.
Costing
 Costing
Situation 1: If you have 3 or 4 kids in
separate rooms and they on their air
conditioner every night.
Situation 2: Renovate your house into 10
rooms and each of the room will be
installing an air conditioner.

Reasons that you should consider changing to a three-phase wiring:

Electricity load exceed 10 kW or 50 amps

Have multiple plug sockets and water heaters
Have 3 or more air conditioners running at the same time
Circuit breaker is constantly tripping because of overload of the supply.

Cost of upgrading : RM2,000 RM 10,000
supplies in terms of costing?
Depending on the following:
Number of plug points
Size of your distribution board
Type and number of equipment using such as air
conditioners, ovens, and water heater
Why 3-phase supplies preferred over single phase
Much more efficient for high capacity installation
Cheaper in term of labor and equipment
Use substantially less conductor material about 25% less for
the same amount of power delivered.
For same amount of time, 3-phase power lines can carry
more power at a reduced cost.
When there is reduction in copper, amount of power
distribution equipment (circuit breakers) are also reduced.
Hence, installation and maintenance cost of 3-phase supplies
is lower.

Upgrading to a 3 phase supply will increase stability and reliability of electricity supply to your house.
Deposit amount
based on voltage
level
Procedure of
Installation
Presented by:

Daphne Tan Li Wen 0329055

Karen Lim Shi Chee 0329431
Lau Wan Yee 0328947
Lim Xiao Shi 0324410
Loh Wei Ting 0328314

School of Architecture, Building and Design

Bachelor of Quantity Surveying (Honours)
Thank you