Home / Comparisons / Single Phase and Three Phase Transformers Compared
Single Phase and Three Phase Transformers Compared
Nearly every commercial and industrial job needs three phase. Single phase is the residential and light rural case. Picking wrong is expensive because they are not interchangeable.
| Single phase | Three phase | |
|---|---|---|
| Bushings | Two primary, two or three secondary | Three or six primary, four secondary |
| Typical ratings | 10 to 167 kVA | 45 to 2500 kVA |
| Serves | Homes, small rural loads, cell sites | Commercial buildings, plant, motors |
| Motor loads | Cannot start three phase motors | Required for three phase motors |
| Cost per kVA | Lower at small ratings | Lower once past about 75 kVA |
| Footprint | Smaller | Larger for the same total capacity |
Which you actually need
If the building has three phase motors, lifts, chillers or any sizeable HVAC, it needs three phase. Three single phase units can be banked to make three phase but it costs more, takes more pad and is harder to service, so it is a workaround rather than a plan.
Working from a specification that uses one of these terms loosely? Send it over and we will tell you which equipment it is actually calling for, before you order the wrong thing. Get a quote or call 786 220 2801.