Wattage of a 2 phase circuit?

Question

I have a 240v oven and it is rated at 11.5kw. I know that Wattage = amps * voltage. In an instance when a two phase circuit is used, such in the case with an oven, do you divide in half since each hot bar is producing 40 amps (40 amp breaker used in this case)?

Answer 1

There is no such thing as a 2phase circuit, 2 phase circuits have not been used since about 1950 and they were very intrinsic in design and were not even close to a 240volt oven.The oven is a 240 volt single phase circuit.The breaker trips when it gets to about 80% of its capacity or 36 amps.The breaker trips when the outgoing load on either or both wires hooked to it exceeds it's capacity and it heats up enough to trip.Sorry bout the 2 phase deal but it was short lived and had only limited use.Some ovens or ranges use a 40amp and some a 50,just follow mfrs recommendation

Answer 2

You first need to find the wire size in the circuit. You cannot install a 40 or 50 amp breaker unless you have proper wire size to do so. Generally speaking wire with good insulation on it, carries #10=30 amp, #8=40 amp, #6=55 amp.

The way 220 is wired at the box is each of Both legs coming from the transformer outside are used and that produces 220. The current in the circuit is carried thru both legs equally balanced. So NO its not additive.

Answer 3

Don't divide by two. You need a 50 amp 240 volt (double) breaker for your range/stove circuit. Remember the 240 volts comes from the 120 volts between the neutral leg and each hot leg, thereby creating 240 volts (potential difference) between the hot legs. Therefore you have 50 amps (~25 and 25) running on the circuit from the hot(s) through the neutral.

Answer 4

Generally that use requires a 50 amp double breaker as the power required at startup is generally over the 40 amp rating.

Answer 5

Harleyman is very right, there's no such animal. Your house voltage is center tapped delta, single phase. Your power equals voltage X amperage calculation is done with total voltage. This will give you apparent power.