[bjelkeman-again]

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/north-american-vers...

> Most European transformers are three-phase and on the order of 300 to 1000 kVA, much larger than typical North American 25- or 50-kVA single-phase units.

[bonzini]

That's the network transformers. Homes usually get single-phase 230V, while larger users get three-phase 400V.

[MrBuddyCasino]

Electric stoves in Germany are usually hooked up to a special 3 phase wire in the kitchen, but thats the only exception in can think of, at least for apartments.

[bonzini]

Oh, here in Italy we have only 3 kW power to each apartment, so gas stoves are prevalent.

[the_mitsuhiko]

That is absolutely not the case where I live (Austria). You get multiple phases into your home, at the very least to garage and kitchen.

[krzyk]

Nope, most electrical cookers need 3-phase connection and those are used all around Europe.

[ldp01]

bjelkeman-again is referring to kVA- a unit of power rather than voltage.

Systems which run a higher consumer voltage (e.g. 230V) will tend to use higher kVA transformers compared to the American system (~110V).

I believe this is because it is feasible to run longer cables when using higher voltage (higher voltage -> lower current -> lower thermal losses per metre of cable), hence it is economical to use fewer, larger transformers in a higher voltage system vs. a lower voltage system.

[bjelkeman-again]

Sorry, my intent was to show three phase electricity to the home in most European countries.

[bonzini]

And I was confused by living in one of the (apparently) few countries without three-phase electricity.

However, even here the network transformers do get three-phase.