What is a three phase plug on an oven?

Question

This is industrial. I wanted to know because I want to open a small bakery. I'm a cook not a electrician. But I,m definatly learning a lot fast.

Answer 1

I'm trying to figure out why you are really asking. I haven't heard of an oven using 3 phase power, but i'm not familiar with large ovens. Is it really industrial? I'd call it commercial.

Maybe you are asking how to plug in an oven because there is 3 phase power at the building, which is common for commercial applications. Actually, a large apartment building would typically be 3 phase. Single phase and 3 phase loads both can be served from a 3 phase service. So they can install normal 120V outlets, and special single phase outlets like an oven, from 3 phase.

If you look at a typical household range, it will have 2 power/voltage ratings. For example it might be 12kW at 240V and 10kW at 208V (making up the numbers). The 208V is a typical voltage available from a 3 phase service. That type of 3 phase does not have 240V available. Of course you can get other voltages from transformers, and larger buildings will do this, and the service would be a higher voltage, like 480V is a common 3 phase voltage. 208V is the common voltage for smaller 3 phase services, but there may be old installations that actually have 240V 3 phase.

For the plug itself, if you go to the link below, it will show what different plugs look like for different voltages, current ratings, 3 phase and single phase, and if it has a ground or not. Household ranges are the 14-50P for 4 wire connections, or the 10-50P for older 3 wire connections (no ground). Grounds in the chart are marked with a G, neutrals with a W (for white). X, Y, and Z are hot or phase connections.

If this doesn't help you, ask a more specific question.

Answer 2

If you are talking about a domestic oven, you are probably asking about a three prong plug. It works off a single phase
(normal residential) system. 240 volts between the two hot legs and a common ground neutral. Newer ovens have four prongs, the neutral and ground are separate. Three phase electricity is normally used in industrial and some commercial applications and utilizes three hot legs. Hope that is helpful.

Answer 3

It's a type of power system... There's single phase and three phase. Three phase is generally used in heavier commercial/industrial settings, as most three-phase motors draw less amperage. Single phase is used in residential and light commercial.

A three phase plug is simply one designed to work in a three-phase powergrid.