I think that this is what is done. The power company probably divides the wires on the low-voltage side of the transformer to even the load; that is, about a third of the houses get 220 v from phases 1 and 3, a third from 2 and 3, and a third from 1 and 2.
cm -----Original Message----- From: Nat Hager III [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2004 20:00 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; 'U.S. Metric Association' Subject: RE: [USMA:28531] Re: Torque and horsepower Carleton, Two phases would differ by 180� whereas 3 would differ by 120�. So could you really just take 2 of the 3 phases for home use, and get the same thing? Nat >>>Normally two of the three phase wires come into a home. Across the two, it's 220 v (nominally) and is used for high-amperage appliances such as stoves, ovens, water heaters, air conditioners, and dryers. >From either to neutral is 110 v (again nominally) for lighting and other general purpose uses >>
