3-phase power explained

You may have heard of the term ‘3-phase power’ before and wondered what it meant. If so, you’re not alone!

With household electricity needs continuing to build and evolve, 3-phase power is fast becoming a topic of discussion for energy efficient homes.

In this blog, we’ll explain what this type of power is and what some of the benefits are. So, let’s get started!

What is 3-phase power?

In electricity speak, ‘phase’ refers to the current or voltage between wires that carry electricity. In single phase power seen in many domestic homes, electricity is supplied via two wires: an active wire and a neutral wire. In 3-phase power, there are four wires: three active wires and a neutral wire. 

With more wires available to carry an electrical current, 3-phase power has the potential to accommodate higher power loads via extra voltage capacity. So, if you have a busy home filled with different family members and lots of heavy-duty electrical appliances, installing 3-phase power can help to provide a more consistent power supply to deal with this demand. 

What are the benefits of 3-phase power?

Upgrading to 3-phase power can offer many advantages for your home energy usage. Here are a few of them: 

• Experience a more consistent and smoother power delivery for your home energy needs.
• Increased power capacity, meaning you can run your ducted air conditioner, AV units, appliances and more without worrying about tripping the power.
• Future-proof your home by making provisions for higher energy needs (such as electric vehicle charging).
• Enjoy greater energy efficiency compared to single phase power.

How do I know if I have 3-phase power?

The quickest way to find out if your current home has 3-phase power installed is to look at the main switch in your switchboard (also known as a fusebox). If there is just a single switch, you have single phase power. If there are three switches, your home is running 3-phase power. 

3-phase power at Eglinton Village

Provision for 3-phase power is available at Eglinton Village and is something you can discuss with your builder. Making the switch early is a great way to future-proof your home and make allowances for your current or future home energy usage needs. 

Plus, if you’re interested in being part of Eve (Eglinton Village Energy), WA’s first community energy sharing network, it is recommended that you install 3-phase power during the construction phase. Doing so can save you a lot of money in the long run, while helping you take advantage of the many benefits that Eve provides, including 20% savings* on your energy use. 

Discover more about Eve and how you can be part of this exciting community energy initiative.  

Let’s take this to the next phase

Interested in finding out more about 3-phase power at Eglinton Village? Our friendly sales team can answer your questions. Get in touch today!

*Should you choose to participate savings are based on consumption. Based on an average household, 20% approximately equates to $372 savings per annum. There will be no added costs related to the solar panel installation or ongoing maintenance. Solar panels will be owned by the network owner and operator. Eve (Eglinton Village Energy, a Zenith Energy subsidiary) is based on Gross Metering. Terms and conditions of participation available on application.