Thanks for the explanation. Much more clearer now.
So can we conclude that it doesn't save as far as the myth of 3-phase wiring is concerned i.e. only reaches the DB box.

sorry about my language.
wat i mean 3phase in our resident house is not actually with 3phase wiring,it only reach until the Db box. actual 3p wiring for appliances had to have at lease 4 wire (r,s,t,ground),sometime it add 1 more (r,s,t,n,ground),not like 3wire(L,g,n).
eg.acson or york cassette type 4hp.
eg.ceiling type or concealed type
mostly they install at living room.

3phase 4hp, n 1phase 4hp, witch one current using more ?1phase right? so the current flow more n generate heat or lost energy because of resistance. btw,yup, its not primary,but second . so conclosion, 3phase save more with 3phase appliances.

He's talking about electrical appliances that use 3 phase. Usually, industrial / commercial appliances that needs higher voltages/current. The plug looks different from your typical 3 prong plug. It has 4 to 5 prongs. 3 prongs is for each of the 3 phases.

TNB's 3 phase cable reaches your DB box only, from there onwards, electrical appliances inside your house runs only on a single phase.

About the energy loss via resistance, I am not too sure about that. However, I know 3 phase motors uses less energy than comparable single phase ones.

"About the energy loss via resistance, I am not too sure about that."
resistance in the wire. most contractor cone ppl with the low quality n small diameter wire, it increase the resistance. cause it generate heat, waste the energy n make the wire life shorter. Or , the user didnt mention to the contractor, after that they use it with high current appliances like water boiler, high power entertainment set, laser printer, hair dryer and etc. P.S. notebook consume very low power only.

Sifu,

Can I know if my house is 1 phase or 3 phase based on the meter box above if you all can tell???

I have a quote - it is really expensive to convert from 1 phase to 3 phase

especially if one hardly exceed the load factor.
Please give you comments..

1) To supply & install 25mm armoured cable from meter board to TNB pole..hacking and premix back.. rm5500
2) To supply & install 16mm armoured cable from TNB meter to DB box - rm2500
3) Supply and install 3 phase DB box with 60 amp ELCB,60amp main fuse and 32 MCB - rm1500
4)TNB meter submission form - rm1200

I know that item 4 , I can already do myself.

also item 1, looks damn expensive..I already hacked my front yard already--where got hacking charges?

Have my contractor to lay the armoured cable from the access door to guard house area around 10m, there charge abour RM 800 only. Not sure why ur vendor so high cost maybe is very long and done by some local fellow not by major company

for a small family (i' mean 2 kids and your the other half) it really serves no purpose..except for one advantage whereby when your area is trip , houses with 3-phase wiring may still draw current from other source and light up your house! how cool eh? So is a 'cool factor too!

I think the 3 phase thingy is a only 'fear factor' and will not burn the house down..
True or not? if overload..it will trip...just an inconvenience.
BUT the chance of tripping is slim...unless you are running a hotel in the house.

also preventive measures of tripping like

buy aircond invertor type- less current needed
buy AAA type appliances
switch on air-con not all at once and not all at 16 degree..

correct or not..?

When blackout, the likelyhood is always all 3 phase blackout. 

Generally, wireman only tap one of the 3 phase for your lighting only. 

Like upstair use blue, downstair use yellow.

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Added on February 24, 2011, 11:42 pm