CPE Division G Inc. 2011 Providers of Sales & Service of Quality Power Protection Equipment for over 25 Years Three-phase power is the most efficient way to distribute power over long distances, and allows for large industrial equipment to operate more efficiently.  While single-phase power is distributed through common household outlets to power everyday equipment such as laptops, lighting and televisions, Three Phase power is characterized by three single-phase waves working together. The waves are offset by 120 degrees, or one-third of the sine wave. With three-phase power, the voltage is always very close to the maximum available voltage because of the 120 degree offset.