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| Subject - 3 Phase or 2 Phase based on price? (moved) | |
| Cruzn_On |
I am trying to figure out the best furnace to buy. the price of 3 Phase is $.055 per KW and the price of 2 Phase is $.033 per KW If the furnace burns 15KW is it cheaper to burn 2 Phase or is there some savings using 3 Phase? Thanks |
| JimmyDee | I'm not sure where you got your figures from but it sounds like there may be some confusion there. It should cost the same for your electricity regardless whether it is single, 2 or 3 phase power. BTUs are derived from the wattage and will remain consistent depending on use. I would say it will cost you x number of dollars to heat a given area electrically because your BTUs will cost the same. There is some savings in using 3 phase for motors but only because of the motors efficiency. Do you have 3 phase available. If you do there is an advantage to balancing your transformers but any saving in heating cost would be negligible. Jim |
| Ryan_J | Are you sure about the 2 phase? I didn't think anybody manufactured 2 phase stuff anymore. Perhaps you mean single phase? |
| JimmyDee | I'm sure thats what he means. Lots of folks concider the 120/240 to be 2 phase but I didn't think it necessary to go into the what and wherefors of it. Jim |
| Cruzn_On | quote: More details... yes, I did mean single phase...sorry about that. The deal is that I have two seperate lines coming into my building. The single phase is considered residentual and cost less per kw. The second input is considered light commercial and costs more per kw. In any event, it is cheap electric produced only for the village. I can get a heater in either 220 single phase or 480 three phase. I can run the 220 off of the residentual line, but would I actually use less if I used the three phase. I do understand the savings of 3 phase on a moter (smaller moter, less stress, less power...) but this really is not a moter. Thanks |
| JimmyDee | No you will use the same number of KW regardless of single or 3 phase. Both units are a 15 KW draw and will produce the same number of BTUs. I would go with the cheaper cost per KWH of the residential power. It is considerably less at .033/KWH. Jim |