polyphase
/'pɔlifeiz/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Relating to or involving multiple phases: Specifically used in electrical engineering to describe a system that uses or generates two or more alternating currents (AC) of the same frequency but with different phase angles. This configuration allows for more efficient power generation, transmission, and operation of motors.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The factory upgraded its machinery to a polyphase power system for greater efficiency.
- Most industrial motors are designed for polyphase AC supplies, such as three-phase power.
Advanced Usage
- Technical Context: The term is almost exclusively used in electrical engineering and physics. The most common application is "polyphase system," which typically refers to three-phase power, the global standard for electrical grids and large industrial equipment.
- Analyzing a polyphase circuit requires understanding phase differences between the voltage waveforms.
Variants and Related Words
- Multiphase (adj): A synonym often used interchangeably with "polyphase," especially in technical contexts.
- The generator is a multiphase device.
- Polyphase system (n phrase): The complete electrical circuit or network employing polyphase currents.
- Single-phase (adj): The antonym, describing a system with only one alternating voltage.
Synonyms
- Multiphase: Involving several phases.
- Multifrequency (in a different, more general context, but not a direct synonym for power systems).
Antonyms
- Single-phase: Using or generating a single alternating voltage.
- Direct current (DC): A system with a constant, non-alternating flow of electricity (though this is a different category, not a direct grammatical antonym).
Related Phrases and Technical Terms
- Phase angle: The angular difference between the phases in a polyphase system.
- Balanced load: A condition in a polyphase system where the loads are equal across all phases.
- Polyphase motor: An electric motor designed to run on a polyphase power supply, known for its self-starting capability and smooth operation.
Adjective
-
of an electrical system that uses or generates two or more alternating voltages of the same frequency but differing in phase angle
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