North American versus European distribution systems (2011)

Re:North American versus European distribution systems (2011) by user5994461 on Monday August 26, 2019 @09:32AM (#20799712)

In France, old houses have 3 phases. There are 3 phases going into the house from the street poles, and you can catch them at some plugs in the house depending if and where they were wired to (the only home appliance that can use 3 phases is electric stoves).

This used to be the "standard" setup until somewhere in the 20th century when it changed to single phase. Now there is only one phase going to homes.

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Re:North American versus European distribution systems (2011) by GuB-42 on Monday August 26, 2019 @12:15PM (#20801020)

I remember my grandfather who was a carpenter. He had a 3-phase woodworking machine in his garage. It was in the late 80s. He needed a special installation for it, and possibly a more expensive subscription.

He later changed it for a single phase machine, partly for that reason. And then he moved, and he now has only one phase like everyone else.

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