German domestic electrical wiring

[Vultch]

It did, but no options for single phase... it was easier just o hook up for all 3

[Apache]

3 phase is better, the load is shared.

Only for the power company

[DaveHMS]

The house we had in Germany had the incoming 3phase split over different circuits - the cooker was single phase.
3phase supply was really handy in the garage.
Be very careful to get your cabling correct with regards to phases & neutral. As mentioned by Apache, if you go the single phase route, make sure that you don't take the feed from 2 of the phases in error - the result would be spectacular & possibly lethal.
Also watch for good ground (earth). I measured in excess of 90V between phase return & ground on our house installation.
Dave

[slobodan]

Only for the power company

What I meant was... you don't have to have a big gauge cable for the cooker. 3 phase and the cables can be smaller.

[Vultch]

Think of a proper 3 phase electric power shower...

[Apache]

What I meant was... you don't have to have a big gauge cable for the cooker. 3 phase and the cables can be smaller.

How? The overall current drawn is the same, and thats what drives the cable CSA. In a UK install, you have LN and a small E, in a 3 phase you have L1 L2 L3 N and small E. The overall cable could even be bigger because of more insulation.

I know they must have safety procedures to prevent getting a 440V shock, which will probably kill you, but I think I prefer the simplicity and foolproofness (well, almost!) of single phase for domestic buildings fills me with less dread.

However, I suppose in Germany its easier to fill your shed with lathes and milling machines

[Leodis]

I'm not an electrician but I was told a few years ago its not the voltage that kills you its the ampage. Thats why when you touch the ht leads you utter a few sweary words but dont die.

[Predictable Bob]

You're correct BUT ...

If you've got 415v rather than 230v then for the same resistance you'll have more current flow thus the certainty of croaking is significantly higher !

[slobodan]

Think of a proper 3 phase electric power shower...

Who's in it? Keira knightley?

[slobodan]

How? The overall current drawn is the same, and thats what drives the cable CSA. In a UK install, you have LN and a small E, in a 3 phase you have L1 L2 L3 N and small E. The overall cable could even be bigger because of more insulation.

I know they must have safety procedures to prevent getting a 440V shock, which will probably kill you, but I think I prefer the simplicity and foolproofness (well, almost!) of single phase for domestic buildings fills me with less dread.

However, I suppose in Germany its easier to fill your shed with lathes and milling machines

No doubt you are correct. When I installed the cooker cable in my house I ran it in 6mm cable (for 3 phase) for a single phase cooker I think I needed 10mm.
Makes no odds because I changed to gas soon after.
In houses all phases go through a fast RCD so shouldn't be much danger.

Another point is that houses are limited to 25amps per phase. (although everyone changes the guts of the LEB's fuses to 50amp wire)
Single phase in the UK is what? 60Amp?

[Vultch]

Who's in it? Keira knightley?

Perv still laugh at the dog pic you posted

[slobodan]

I like this pic of a guy in a pink shirt and sunglasses

[Smego2]

)
Single phase in the UK is what? 60Amp?

We draw 100a,

for a given load the 3 phase wire can be smaller as the voltage is higher less current is drawn.

for the average man a current drawn though the heart greater than 30mA for 30ms is considered lethal hence the spec for RCDs based around this.