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polyphase

polyphase

9.9
An electrical system that uses two or more flows of electricity that peak at different times
  • adjective
  • /ˈpɒliˌfeɪz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polifásico
  • In a polyphase electrical system, multiple currents operate simultaneously, improving efficiency.

Examples

  • By using polyphase motors, we can achieve a smoother operation with less energy loss.

  • The factory switched to a polyphase setup to handle its heavy machinery more effectively.

  • But if you want to transmit lots of power, polyphase is really your friend.

Synonyms

polyphasic
vspolyphase
  • Specialized
4 8.8

Having several stages or parts

refers specifically to electrical systems using alternating voltages differing in phase angle
multiphase
vspolyphase
  • Specialized
1 7.1

Having two or more electric currents that reach peaks at different times

is the same meaning but uses a different form of the term

How Many

triphase
  • Specialized
8.1
polyphase
  • Specialized
9.9
monophasic
  • Specialized
8.6

Surface Forms

polyphase positive

Morphology

polyphase = phase (transparent) = poly + phase

The word is built compositionally from 'poly-' meaning 'many' and 'phase', and the technical meaning follows directly from this structure.

Etymology

Polyphase comes from the prefix poly- meaning 'many' and phase meaning 'stage' or 'part'. So a polyphase electrical system has 'many stages' of electrical waves that are slightly out of step, which gives smoother and more reliable power than a single stage.