# 240v Split phase series circuit

I'm sure this has an answer somewhere but I am going to try my luck. I am having trouble with the following type of circuit.

240V ac going to 3 resistors in series @ 10kW (no neutral, this a simple circuit diagram). Total circuit current @ 1.44 ohms for each resistor load is 83.33 amps and 120v across any load with a voltmeter. And since this is a SERIES circuit that (83.33 amps) is also the TOTAL circuit amps (if i'm not wrong). Because in a parallel circuit it would be 249.99 TOTAL circuit amps and 240v across any load with a volt meter. I am so confused because the voltage across each load keeps adding up to 120v, and in a 240v power supply circuit that does not add up correctly, it would need to be a 360V circuit with 3 resistors @ 1.44 ohms.

I guess the question is: Should each resistive load in this circuit read 120v across itself with a voltmeter or should it read 80v across itself with a voltmeter.

If it should read the first one, why.

$R=\dfrac{V^2}{P}=5.76=1.92*3$ for V=240 and P=10kW

Each R will split 240/3=80Vac rms across each one.

If you have three identical resistors in series across 240 volts, you will have 80 volts across each one.

The fact that the 120/240 volt "split phase" circuit can also provide 120 volts to loads connected between either "hot" wire and neutral is irrrelevant if you are not using the neutral.

If you apply 120 volts to one of your 1.44 Ohm resistors, it will draw 83.3 Amps.

With 240 volts across three 1.44 Ohm resistors in series (total resistance is 4.32 Ohms), you will get 55.5 Amps.