The turbo alternators operated at 4,800 revolutions per minute, producing single-phase electric power at 1,000 volts (V) and 80 cycles.

However, when only single-phase power is available, the rotating magnetic field must be produced using other means.

Often (especially in the USA), the power is split before it reaches residential customers whose low-power appliances rely upon single-phase electric power.

This allows three phase loads to run using generator or utility-supplied single-phase electric power.

Main distribution lines always have three wires, while smaller "laterals" (close to the customer) may include one or two phases, used to serve all customers with single-phase power.

As shown in figure 1 from the patent, a digital AC monitor is attached to the single-phase power going into a residence.

In most countries, household power is single-phase electric power, with two or three wired contacts at each outlet.

The generators at the Cos Cob Power Station were designed to supply single-phase power directly to the catenary.

Power electronic devices directly produce a three-phase waveform from single-phase power, using a rectifier and inverter combination.

The plant used coal-fired steam turbines, and the three-phase alternators supplied single-phase power at 11 kV 25 hz directly to the catenary.