Number of 'electrical phases' ?

I've applied for a new mains electric supply to a flat at my address. They sent me a form to fill in. They ask me how many rooms at the address, and then: "How many electrical phases?"

Can someone translate this into layman's language?

Thank you,

Jim

On Fri, 18 May 2007 17:39:35 +0100, Jim mused:

They're after more like hoists and cranes.

Problem with these forms is they are exactly the same as the ones for a large industrial manufacturing plant so most of the questions are there to confuse you.

PS - They also want to know the number of "motors and welders" at the address. Should I count things like washing machines, mixers, computer cooling fans, and boiler flue fans?

Thanks,

Jim

Go on. Ask for 5.

Go on. Ask for 5.

The ones they would be interested in are big induction motors that may have a poor power factor (and often big switch on surges). That tends to rule out most domestic equipment. I would be tempted to answer that as "none, just ordinary domestic appliances"

Thank you for clarifying. Can you also help with the "motors" question in this thread? Do they want me to add up literally *all* the motors in my house, inlcuding PC cooling fans?

t.i.a.

Jim

On Fri, 18 May 2007 18:07:53 +0100, Jim mused:

I did, half an hour ago. ;)

Many thanks!

Jim

|!On Fri, 18 May 2007 17:30:21 +0100, Lurch |! wrote: |! |!>Phases, for simplicity just tick the box for single phase. If you |!>don't know what 3 phase is then you don't need it. It's generally |!>reserved for commercial installations or installations with huuuuge |!>amounts of power requirements, like mansions and large properties with |!>all electric heating. |! |!Thank you for clarifying. Can you also help with the "motors" question |!in this thread? Do they want me to add up literally *all* the motors |!in my house, inlcuding PC cooling fans?

And one motor per hard drive.

Interesting thought: I have lots of big induction motors inmy workshop, although I only ever run two at once (dust collector plus, say thicknesser). What would a supplier do differently about my supply if they knew about this (which they don't, they think it's a Bungalow with a Garage)? Change my meter form the 'whirling whatsit' perhaps?

R.

Charge you extra for lack of power factor correction:

On Fri, 18 May 2007 19:13:30 +0100, TheOldFellow mused:

That's not big. As I mentioned previously, the form is intended for every type of supply imaginable. As a basic rule of thumb, if it has a

You're probably fine - there are guidelines on the freqency of starts, and DIY use won't generally be an issue - commercial use where you might be doing 60 starts an hour, or several hundred welds might be though, particularly once you take the startup current into account (although in theory the supply they have installed should be big enough to take this...)

Thanks for the reassurance. It is indeed, only a hobby.

R.

Two. Unless it's fixed head.

The answer you want, 7unless you intend to run large workshop macjinery is

ONE.

Head assembly tends to be moved by a voice coil these days... much faster than using a motor or stepper.

I know...but technically I'd class that as a motor!