I have a B50-Can series fluorescent light and was told it was three phase. Can you run this on single phase and this there a way of telling if it is three phase or single phase.

Should be a nomenclature tag on fixture stating voltage, amperage or watts and phase.me

Is this your unit:

http://www.bodine.com/downloads/specs/B50.spec.%28elc%29.L2000053.pdf

If so, it is single phase. May be that the 120, or esp the 277 volt rating confuses people, or someone knows just enough to be dangerous, because the 277 typically comes from a three phase 480 volt system. The 277 is one single phase of the three phases.

Been doing repairs and installation, specifying of lighting, ballasts , fixtures, systems, of all types, and never heard of a 3 phase light.