Wort des Tages
19 July 2026
single-phasing
nounElektrotechnik
The abnormal operation of a three-phase machine when its supply is changed by the accidental opening of one conductor.
Warum dieses Wort
The motor often keeps turning, which is the trap: the two remaining phases carry the whole load and overheat, so a running machine hides a fault that a simple stop would advertise.
In use
It was still spinning, but drawing daft current on two legs; classic single-phasing, and the winding stank of it.
Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.