Split phase confusion

[Jack Ryan]

There are some conflicting comments about split phase. Here (Australia), split phase is used with rural SWER distribution as a means to get power cheaply (a single wire) to isolated consumers. It is 480V in the old money or 460V in the new money single phase. The supply transformer is centre tapped giving two 240V (230V) supplies that are 180 degrees out of phase. It is not what you would normally call two-phase.

Is this similar to what is used in the UK?

Jack

 

[Gareth J]

still see a few 415 volt single phase motors on farms in the sticks. mainly on mills and milking machines round about 5hp

460ish volts.

Kind of unsupported now and often driven with a 3 phase motor and inverter instead.