480V vs 400V in Industrial Application

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AAEB

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Good Day!

Guys, what is more advantageous in Industrial Application when it comes to voltage system utilization? is it 480V,3p or 400V, 3p?

thanks in advance,
AAEB
 
You have a choice?

Generally you don't. Your local utility has essentially made that decision for you. But if you are in the US, don't use 400V, it will be very difficult to find equipment for it. Yes, 480V gear will work, but you might as well then use 480V everything. But transformers and motors are not going to be as readily available in 400V versions.

If you are not in the US or Canada, I would check into what everyone around you uses. It's not a good idea to set yourself up as a virtual electrical island, isolated from everyone else.
 
AAEB said:
Good Day!

Guys, what is more advantageous in Industrial Application when it comes to voltage system utilization? is it 480V,3p or 400V, 3p?


thanks in advance,
AAEB
Click to expand...


I don't know about advantageous but it seems (at least in my application) a lot of European machines, especially Italian and French made, require 400V. We had to have transformers for them since we only had 208V. Some of the manufacturers sold or supplied the transformers. Can't remember having to try and buy one in the States.

Jraef said:
You have a choice?

Generally you don't. Your local utility has essentially made that decision for you. But if you are in the US, don't use 400V, it will be very difficult to find equipment for it. Yes, 480V gear will work, but you might as well then use 480V everything. But transformers and motors are not going to be as readily available in 400V versions.

If you are not in the US or Canada, I would check into what everyone around you uses. It's not a good idea to set yourself up as a virtual electrical island, isolated from everyone else.
Click to expand...

Right, depends on your machines/needs in your application, but US machines mainly require 480V.
 
In the US we have motors rated 240/ 480 60 cycle. In some other countries the standard is 200/400 50 cycyle. 380 50 cycle nameplate ratings are common overseas which is equated to 460 60 cycle here. motors rated 380 50 cycle can be operated on 460/60 cycle with no problem and vice versa.
 
stew said:
In the US we have motors rated 240/ 480 60 cycle. In some other countries the standard is 200/400 50 cycyle. 380 50 cycle nameplate ratings are common overseas which is equated to 460 60 cycle here. motors rated 380 50 cycle can be operated on 460/60 cycle with no problem and vice versa.
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"No problem" is a bit of a stretch, there are potential problems that need consideration, but generally it's OK.
 
stew said:
In the US we have motors rated 240/ 480 60 cycle. In some other countries the standard is 200/400 50 cycyle. 380 50 cycle nameplate ratings are common overseas which is equated to 460 60 cycle here. motors rated 380 50 cycle can be operated on 460/60 cycle with no problem and vice versa.
Click to expand...
The common standard voltage in Europe is 400V 3ph 50Hz with 230Vph-n (not 200V) which is the phase to neutral of the 400V line to line voltage.
 
In large industrial, you can choose whatever voltage as the electricity is purchased in medium voltage from which it is stepped down to whatever by customer owned transformer.
 
Electric-Light said:
In large industrial, you can choose whatever voltage as the electricity is purchased in medium voltage from which it is stepped down to whatever by customer owned transformer.
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I suppose you could but generally you wouldn't except maybe for single pieces of equipment that need non-standard voltages.
 
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