480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
- Thread starter joof
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
The power company does not provide you with any 'colors' just 3 phases.
It is what ever you make it.
The power company does not provide you with any 'colors' just 3 phases.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
You should get about the same voltage from each lead to ground (about 277 volts). There may be slight differences, but that will tell you nothing about which color is which phase.
You should get about the same voltage from each lead to ground (about 277 volts). There may be slight differences, but that will tell you nothing about which color is which phase.
crossman
Senior Member
- Location
- Southeast Texas
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
Is there anything that will tell you which wire is which phase? I don't think so. It is totally arbitrary, isn't it?
Is there anything that will tell you which wire is which phase? I don't think so. It is totally arbitrary, isn't it?
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
It may not be completely arbitary for a factory with more than one service. They may like to keep the phase rotation marked the same in case a panel feeder is moved from one location to another. The first wire is still marked arbitrary, but then one chooses the next wire to produce the correct rotation. But there isn't any way to tell phase rotation with a simple voltmeter.
It may not be completely arbitary for a factory with more than one service. They may like to keep the phase rotation marked the same in case a panel feeder is moved from one location to another. The first wire is still marked arbitrary, but then one chooses the next wire to produce the correct rotation. But there isn't any way to tell phase rotation with a simple voltmeter.
luckyshadow
Senior Member
- Location
- Maryland
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
You need a simple rotation meter to determine rotation
You need a simple rotation meter to determine rotation
crossman
Senior Member
- Location
- Southeast Texas
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
exactly
You will have a rotation, but to say that any given phase is THE "A" phase is arbitrary.
exactly
You will have a rotation, but to say that any given phase is THE "A" phase is arbitrary.
Re: 480 ,4 wire yellow, brown, orange
You can determine "A" phase, if that is the POCO's nomenclature and not 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, using a phase angle meter or an oscilliscope. However, you would still need to have a Known Point to establish a reference. The only time that I can think of when you must ensure that two sources are in phase is when you want to parallel them. If you are not paralleling than it is usually sufficient to just know the rotation.
When are some other times when it is important to ensure that two sources/conductors are in phase?
You can determine "A" phase, if that is the POCO's nomenclature and not 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, using a phase angle meter or an oscilliscope. However, you would still need to have a Known Point to establish a reference. The only time that I can think of when you must ensure that two sources are in phase is when you want to parallel them. If you are not paralleling than it is usually sufficient to just know the rotation.
When are some other times when it is important to ensure that two sources/conductors are in phase?
- Status