This historic polyphase system uses two distinct voltage waveforms that are exactly one quarter of a cycle apart. It was originally developed to provide a rotating magnetic field for early induction motors before three-phase systems became the global standard. Though largely obsolete, it survives in certain legacy industrial installations and specialized servomotor control schemes.
The old mill still runs a quarter-phase generator for the vintage hoists, so we've to maintain that custom switchgear.
Also heard as
- two-phase
Related terms
Polyphase
Describing an electrical system that uses multiple alternating currents with staggered phase angles.
Phase
A single distinct oscillating voltage or current in a multi-conductor electrical system.
Split-phase power
A single-phase distribution system that provides two separate voltages using a center-tapped transformer.