Your observation about single phase is correct for UK. However in
> other parts of Europe 3 phase is routinely supplied to quite small > dwellings.
> I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment in Belgium of about 80m² which
> is supplied with 3 phase with 230 volts between phases and no
> neutral. More modern homes are supplied with 3 phase and neutral...
Interesting. Do you have any appliances that consume 3 phase, or is this just for the benefit of the power company?