230 VAC 3 Phase???
- Thread starter ephesus
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ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
What is available from your POCO in the area? That may be a limiting factor. Many customers do not know what they need. What kind of occupancy will it be?
Our rural customers may have 240 with a hi leg as you described. Both 208 Wye and 240 hi leg Delta may be available in the bigger towns. Corner grounded Delta is getting more rare all the time but existing irrigation installations may still have it.
Our rural customers may have 240 with a hi leg as you described. Both 208 Wye and 240 hi leg Delta may be available in the bigger towns. Corner grounded Delta is getting more rare all the time but existing irrigation installations may still have it.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I believe the systems were at lower voltage year ago. IDK when things changed but the terminology lives on.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
I do believe motors and such use those voltages. NEMA thing.
Water treatment plant - motors/pumps- 230VAC speced.
Need to know if 208V is acceptable. Otherwise Delta will be needed for 240V.
Water treatment plant - motors/pumps- 230VAC speced.
Need to know if 208V is acceptable. Otherwise Delta will be needed for 240V.
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
This chart shows what I am trying to say. Look at motors.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Technically, you will GET 240V leg to leg. The EQUIPMENT is designed for 230V on purpose, so that the voltage drop from the service to the motor doesn’t negatively affect the motor performance and life. That’s what that chart was telling you; 230V is the UTILIZATION voltage, 240V is the DISTRIBUTION voltage. That is the normal way of the world. You’re good to go.
I’ve had to explain this to far too many people who should already know it.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
I think the reason for 230 vs 240 has been explained well enough.
That said you apparently have a 240 volt "nominal" system, but without other details you do not know if it is high leg delta, corner grounded delta, or even possibly an ungrounded system, all of which could possibly impact what you may put into your panel.
That said you apparently have a 240 volt "nominal" system, but without other details you do not know if it is high leg delta, corner grounded delta, or even possibly an ungrounded system, all of which could possibly impact what you may put into your panel.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Same here. But honestly, I was in the industry for probably a decade before I had it explained to me. I kind of blindly accepted the subtle differences in voltage numbers based on my original J-man telling me “It’s no big deal, don’t over think it and move on.” I did that until I just couldn’t accept it any more and dug into it a little. Later when I went back to school for an Engineering degree, they never mentioned it, not once. So I chose it as a topic for an oral presentation, complete with background research etc. The prof said he had never heard the full story. Go figure...
mbrooke
Batteries Included
- Location
- United States
- Occupation
- Technician
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
And this is useful to the OP in what way?
Voltage trivia info IMO....non standard service.
meternerd
Senior Member
- Location
- Athol, ID
- Occupation
- retired water & electric utility electrician, meter/relay tech
Well....actually the utility will set substation regulators or LTC's at 120/240V +/_ 5%. That means it could be as high as 126/252V on the high side. We try to keep the voltage close to the upper limit at the substation in order to keep the voltage higher at the end of long circuits. Sometimes keeps from having to install line regulators or capacitor banks.
mbrooke
Batteries Included
- Location
- United States
- Occupation
- Technician
Hate regs and cap banks :rant: - yes I can understand wanting to avoid them!
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
Yes, that chart I posted reflects that. Same numbers. Tolerances/parameters.
meternerd
Senior Member
- Location
- Athol, ID
- Occupation
- retired water & electric utility electrician, meter/relay tech
One other thought....kinda still on the subject. I'm old enough to have heard about 110/220, 115/230 and finally 120/240. Was it ever really 110/220? If so was it raised to allow for smaller wire to get the same watts? Just curious.....are we headed to 130/260? Or maybe 220 like Europe? Inquiring minds like mine want to know!:huh:
mbrooke
Batteries Included
- Location
- United States
- Occupation
- Technician
Europe is now 230/400Y. Used to be 220/380 and the UK 240/415- but then came "harmonization" In a lot of places, especially the UK, its still that way (240 instead of 230).
meternerd
Senior Member
- Location
- Athol, ID
- Occupation
- retired water & electric utility electrician, meter/relay tech
It's been my experience that unless a motor has a nameplate rating of 208-230 (some do, but may require different wiring connections), a 230V motor will not work well (or at all) on 208. 230 on 240 is fine, 460 on 480 is fine.
Most of my motor experience has been with larger 3 phase, though.
I always respected my professors who were willing to learn - far too rare IMO. And you’re right, this concept is not taught formally in Engineering schools.
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