It can get a little complicated when working out whether you have a single, two or three phase supply connection. There are a number of items that can help you identify what connection type you have. Generally speaking the components in your switchboard will come in groups of 1, 2 or 3 corresponding to a single, two and three phase supply respectively.
In this article we cover the following ways you can identify how many phases you have connected to your property:
- Check the label on your electricity meter
- See how many service fuses are used by your property
- Inspect your switchboard for three-phase breakers
- Deviations to the norm, three phase meter with a single phase supply and more...
- Note sure, take a photo and send it to us
Check your electricity meter
In almost all cases your electricity meter will include some form of labelling that identifies it as either a single or 3 phase meter.
For 3 phase meters the label will often use common terms such as:
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Some meters use symbols to indicate they are 3 phase capable. |
Single phase meters will often use common terms such as:
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Check the number of services fuses
The service fuse or sometimes referred to as the main supply fuse is often located at your meter board. The number of fuses used indicates the number of phases you have connected. One fuse means you are on a single phase, two fuses for 2 phase and lastly three fuses for 3 phase.
Three phase | |
Two phase | |
Single phase |
Sometimes your property fuses are not located at your meter board, in this case try using one of the other methods to identify whether you have a 3 phase connection.
Inspect your switchboard
Your switchboard will contain a number of clues regarding your home's electrical configuration.
All homes will have a main switch often labelled as "Main switch grid supply" or "Normal supply main switch", the configuration of the switch will indicate the type of supply you have.
Three Phase Three phase connections will use *single throw three pole breakers as the main switch. Three phase home appliances such as air conditioners, hot water systems and solar inverters will also use a single throw three pole breaker as shown in the example here. This example also shows 3 surge protection devices with one for each phase connecting the property. |
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Single Phase Single phase connections will use *single throw single pole breakers as the main switch
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*single throw three pole breaker
Throw in this case simply refers to the lever used to open or close the contacts, and pole refers to the electrical contact inside the breaker in other words a single lever is used to switch all three phases.
Three phase meter with a single phase supply and more...
To complicate things further there are variations to the regular configurations shown above and some of these include:
- Your home has a three phase meter however only one phase is connected
- Two single phase meters connected to each of the two phases
- Three single phase meters connected to each of the three phases
If you are unsure about your home's configuration please read on to the next section.
Take a photograph
If you are having difficulties take a photo of your meter board and switchboard and leave it to us. Send the photo to Powersensor support and we will check it for you. You can reach us at support@powersensor.com.au
Here is an example photo of a combined meter board and switchboard, we have marked up each of the items described earlier that indicate this is a 3 phase connection.
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