The 3 phase electric power is common way of alternating current transmission and it is a type of polyphase system and is the common method used by electric power distribution grids to distribute power.

The 3 phase alternator has three single phases winding so that the voltage that is produced gets displaced from the other two phases. Though a schematic diagram of a three phase alternator showing all the coils and makes it appear quite complex and it sure is difficult to see what is actually happening.

In the three phase alternator the coils are wound up opposite each other in a single phase that means that one moves clockwise while the other goes anti clock wise. Plus if you're entire unit has 8 magnets it will also have 8 coils, but for a three phase alternator you need 3 coils for each pair of magnets and all pair means that one magnet faces north and the other faces south. The combinations can be different but the process works out in the same way.

People consider a three phase alternator more economical as it used as a conductor material and transmits electric power than equivalent single phases or the two phase system of the same voltage. Plus the three phase system is a common method that is used around the world to power large motors.

In a three phase circuit the conductors carry three alternating currents that are of the same frequency which reach peak values at different times. One conductor starts of and the two conductors are delayed and two thirds of one cycle of the current has the effect of producing constant power transfer over each cycle of the current. And this also produces a rotating magnetic field in the electric motor.

The 3 phase alternator doesn't have a neutral wire which allows the three phase system to use a higher voltage level wheel they still support lower voltage and signal phase appliances. The alternator is really a device which is electro mechanical and converts the mechanical energy to electric energy in the form of alternating current plus most alternators use a rotating magnet. An electrical generator can also be called a 3 phase alternator but in real sense the word alternator refers to small rotating machines that are driven by automotives and internal combustion engines. Plus the alternators that are driven by steam power are called turbo alternators.