elk, I think that wglenn was referring to the motor-generator application for reproducing 3 phase, rather than a 3 phase motor itself. I would agree with you, wishing that my shop had 3 phase motors instead of the half baked idea used in power equipment.
Ahh . . . good point.
@4krow: Yep!
I have not been able to avail a scope just yet. It seems obvious to me that Paul could shed some major light on this basic subject. I would be ever so grateful, for this has been a long standing question of mine.
I think elk answered this a while back. As I may be correct in it not having two generated phases I think there being the potential difference in a center tap trans former to achieve the 180 degrees he stated . So if a scope two channel you wood see the phases out of phase with each other. At least I think so. And who ever elk is I do think that person is brilliant in all there info that is shared .
Al. D
That’s the thing. I can see this clearly in at least two different ways, each conflicting with the other. It is my own belief(unsupported by proof of a scope) that, as you stated, there is a 220v differential from each leg of the ‘split phase’ transformer. However, it becomes clouded when someone else mentions there being two distinct phases, 120 degrees apart. In one way, it makes sense, and yet two legs,120 degrees out of phase from each other, creates a sort of hump of energy, since there is no 3rd phase to round it out if you will. I will not go further, since this discussion can end up in circles. I will, however be determined to prove it to myself before stating it publically.
Both are correct.
1) There are three phases, 120 degrees from each other, as electricity is generated at a power plant.
2) This power goes through various transformers prior to entering our homes where it enters as single split-phase power.
there was a lightening strike half block away this summer that took out a power pole and the local grid. the electricians who came to sort out the situation and isolate the problem said the whole LOCAL neighborhood was three phase. OK, I thought, but they were implying that at the house (five flats) it was three phase, accounting for why one of my neighbors had power but four of us didn’t…still trying to figure this out.
Ok let’s do this one step at a time . I’ll type you say you understand so far.
A circle has 360 from beginning to end , so does the generator. But it is divided up into three pieces.
The three pieces are the three phases we are referring to . The degrees elk help I forgot most of this are relative to each other. Now to achieve the lets say 250 volts we are speaking about we need two of three phases . Look at it as triangle you need two sides to connect to achieve the 250 volts.
Ok so far.
If you wish I can email you info with illustrations attached . If you can use a o scope you sure can understand this. My email is BALDINO472003@msn.com
Elk,
This makes better sense to me. I feel that I am getting enough pieces to finally put it together with the mind given to me. It’s almost although the 3 phase conversation needs to be separate from the split phase conversation. Either way, it is falling into place. No doubt it will all be confirmed once I see the traces on the scope. Thanks for your patience and explanations provided here.
Of course, those reading from different countries may well have quite different power/distribution systems, causing more questions for them.
Now when you use the scope the three phases will be overlapping each other as the sign waves rise and fall in unison . If sped up enough I do be leave you will see that there is two or three phases. In fact I have a digital meter that actually determines the phase sequence represented as A B C. And yes one leads the next and I did know how it works but not anymore those memories are gone for now.
4krow said: It's almost although the 3 phase conversation needs to be separate from the split phase conversation.
Yes. They are separate.
It is a bit like AC power going into a component and rectified as DC. Everything is connected, but the incoming AC and the rectified DC are two different things. The internal components do not ever see the AC and, for them, the AC does not even exist.
Then the DC becomes an AC signal sent to the speakers - and the speakers better not ever see DC.
Not that long ago, my speakers saw DC, for a short time. I couldn’t get to the power switch in time. Another experiment gone wrong.
And the Woofers started coffin? 
(sorry)
This power discussion has gotten a bit convoluted, but there is still good information to be had. Perhaps things will be clarified soon. I am hoping to better understand it myself.
J.P.
Well, it is not a simple subject Go here and see the pictures of the motor spinning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyphase_system It helps to kind of see what’s going on.
I guess what you’re looking for is a deep understanding? That may be difficult, but I’ll try and see what I can point you to.
A more simplistic view of motors is this . The 3 phase or polyphase is pulling from 360 degrees inside the motor . Where as a motor that is single phase is not . In fact it’s off and on. So as such is not as efficient and slips much more to. It also just makes more noise . Even just to start is more complex too as it has two windings one to start another to run. And a switching device to change the windings config when up to speed. But is it motor theory or power transmission theory you want info on ?
The original post was asking specifically about 220 AC. The rest of the descriptions about 3 phase, and motors, are very interesting to me, but really, I was mostly trying to get the idea of 220 as a single(or split) phase. I can see that I came to a good place to learn about this. A deeper understanding of this as a whole will be in que a bit later.
Ok
And ps audio outlets are tops in this field to. Hi grade and iso gnd. Very fair price it will accept up to 10 gauge solid too.