3 phase ac current

[bodge_job]

3 phase is more efficient than 1 phase. why 3 phase though? i have found lots of references to 3 phase alternators but no explanations as to why? surely using a 16 phase alternator would produce more power? or is it just to average the peaks and troughs when the magnets are between the coils edges? because still a 22 phase would decrease the time spent between the coils edges if the same sized stator was used.

[spacechimp]

http://science.howstuffworks.com/power3.htm not sure how helpful this is.

[qapmoc]

In fact spacechimp that is quite good, the point being bodge_job that each phase needs a cable connected to it so if you used 22 phase you would need 22 cables connected to each motor and 22 + N cables hanging on every transmission tower, the three phase is the minimum number that will still work for a smoothish rotating field. there are other points related to the generator windings etc... but thats another story.

[spacechimp]

I thought it was good, just not sure if it completely answered the question.

[4lec]

im lost to what this post is about, but ive got another question
recently we had a power cut in my street, every 3rd house was affected, the others were fine, would this be an explanation??
thanks
and sorry for butting in
alec