In case this is a stupid question then I apologize in advance...
Assuming an unbalanced 3 phase installation results in (lets say) 5A of current on the neutral conductor (grounded), then is that wasted, in that it went to ground directly rather than through an electrical appliance first?
The idea is that incoming power is metered (and paid for) based on what comes into the facility via the 3 hot phases, so that anything leaving the facility (via neutral / ground) was paid for but was wasted via phase imbalance -> neutral -> ground.
I am hoping this is in fact a dumb question resulting in the answer that of course unbalanced 3 phase is both wasteful and expensive for "paying customers" (as opposed to for utilities).
Most of the data centers we come across have 3 phase power incoming, yet (often) use 1 phase 220V circuits to power equipment, and over time as circuits are added moved and equipment is refreshed, what started out balanced, can become badly unbalanced.
Does this cost the datacenter manager real money?
Thanks!
Gabor
Assuming an unbalanced 3 phase installation results in (lets say) 5A of current on the neutral conductor (grounded), then is that wasted, in that it went to ground directly rather than through an electrical appliance first?
The idea is that incoming power is metered (and paid for) based on what comes into the facility via the 3 hot phases, so that anything leaving the facility (via neutral / ground) was paid for but was wasted via phase imbalance -> neutral -> ground.
I am hoping this is in fact a dumb question resulting in the answer that of course unbalanced 3 phase is both wasteful and expensive for "paying customers" (as opposed to for utilities).
Most of the data centers we come across have 3 phase power incoming, yet (often) use 1 phase 220V circuits to power equipment, and over time as circuits are added moved and equipment is refreshed, what started out balanced, can become badly unbalanced.
Does this cost the datacenter manager real money?
Thanks!
Gabor