208 vs 480 VAC question

[Tojemuyiwa]

Good day,

I am working on a lighting project in a classified area and the issue is trying to switch from 208V to 480V. I have been told that the arc flash potential is a reason why we do not switch, but I believe the biggest issue is temp in the building. I wanted to ask what is the pros as well as the cons for having 208V instead of 480V? Thanks.

 

[Electric-Light]

Good day,

I am working on a lighting project in a classified area and the issue is trying to switch from 208V to 480V. I have been told that the arc flash potential is a reason why we do not switch, but I believe the biggest issue is temp in the building. I wanted to ask what is the pros as well as the cons for having 208V instead of 480V? Thanks.

What's the quantity and wattage of lamps?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

If there is already a lighting system there, I don't think there is anything to be gained by changing the operating voltage.

 

[Tojemuyiwa]

If there is already a lighting system there, I don't think there is anything to be gained by changing the operating voltage.

This would be new location. What we have used in the past is 208V and we are looking to switch 480V. My question was more of does one provide a better benefit than the other?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

This would be new location. What we have used in the past is 208V and we are looking to switch 480V. My question was more of does one provide a better benefit than the other?

I don't think that there is really much difference. The 480 volts system may be a bit cheaper to install as you you can probably get by with fewer circuits.

 

[Electric-Light]

Good day,

I am working on a lighting project in a classified area and the issue is trying to switch from 208V to 480V. I have been told that the arc flash potential is a reason why we do not switch, but I believe the biggest issue is temp in the building. I wanted to ask what is the pros as well as the cons for having 208V instead of 480V? Thanks.

You don't provide enough details. Those voltages come from two different types of services.
480v is a motive power for larger facilities that receive 480v service.
A high rise with a bank of elevators and colossal cooling equipment needs 480v.

208 is for facilities that do not have 480v service.

 

[kwired]

208 volts vs 480 volts does not create any more or any less hazard when it comes to the hazardous location wiring method requirements.

 

[Electric-Light]

208 volts vs 480 volts does not create any more or any less hazard when it comes to the hazardous location wiring method requirements.

480v switch gears are substantially more expensive than 120 slash 240

 

[kwired]

480v switch gears are substantially more expensive than 120 slash 240

Maybe. Consider a 200 amp 480 volt piece of gear will be able to deliver the same VA to a load as a 400 amp 240 volt counterpart and the 480 volt gear may cost less. This is fine when it comes to higher VA loads but it can still be kind of expensive if majority of load is smaller VA loads, pus there is often still a need to derive at least some 120 volt power for some of the loads.

 

[Ragin Cajun]

Actually, you should consider 277V, it requires only a single pole breaker, whereas 480V requires a two pole breaker.

Just be sure you provide an accessible neutral in the 480V system. I have worked in numerous industrial facilities and typically the neutral wasn't brought to the MCC's, panel boards, etc.

RC

 

[kwired]

Actually, you should consider 277V, it requires only a single pole breaker, whereas 480V requires a two pole breaker.

Just be sure you provide an accessible neutral in the 480V system. I have worked in numerous industrial facilities and typically the neutral wasn't brought to the MCC's, panel boards, etc.

RC

And other then for lighting, the neutral is seldom needed. Maybe an occasional 277 volt electric space heating unit will be selected.