Eli5: What’s the difference between a single phase electric current versus a 3 phased one?
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These comments suck to the core. Single phase AC means the current fluctuates between +240V to -240V then back to 240V about 50 times a second (for outside USA). Because a single phase AC crosses 0V, it can make things that needs massive constant power to sag when current passing thru 0V. So what do we do to solve this? We add more AC lines but each AC line is slightly more delayed; hence, a different phase. Three phase AC basically means three AC lines that are timed preciswly that the AC of combined lines never cross 0V.
If your workshop has a massive AC electric motor, chance is that it is designed to use three phase lines natively, so that the motor runs smoother and can sustain massive power over multiple AC lines. Three phases have 4 to 5 lines.
Here is the real kicker. All hydro turbines generate three phase AC natively. If your house runs on a single phase, it means your house is connected to one of the three phases. Other houses connect to the other phases.
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