480V to 415V transformer

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

David Christian

Member
Location
Fremont, CA, USA
Hi Guys,

I recently designed one data center project. The voltage of MSB is 480V. But our client will use 415V equipment. 415V is the nominal voltage in European countries.

Is there any 480V to 415V transformer we can use? If not, is there any other solution to provide power for these equipment?

I really appreciate any suggestions.

Best,
David
 
David Christian said:
Hi Guys,

I recently designed one data center project. The voltage of MSB is 480V. But our client will use 415V equipment. 415V is the nominal voltage in European countries.

Is there any 480V to 415V transformer we can use? If not, is there any other solution to provide power for these equipment?

I really appreciate any suggestions.

Best,
David
Click to expand...

My first thought is that due to the relatively small voltage change, a buck autotransformer would be the most economical. Various manufacturers have charts and calculators online for sizing. How much load?
 
My first thought is to look at the spec's for the "415-volt" equipment and see how wide an input voltage range it's actually designed for, and whether transformers are needed at all. Much of that stuff is designed for the world market and accommodates quite a few different nominal voltages.
 
two 120/208 wyes in series ?? 2x208=416?
 
Sounds like a 240/415Y system. 100-250 volts is the voltage rating of most servers, so instead of driving them at 208 like before, it is now customary to just take the max voltage and use a wye system. Eliminates step down transformers and reduces raw material. At least that is the goal.
 
You can generally get a custom transformer for whatever voltage you want.

But is the 415 volts 60 Hz?

If there is a UPS, and if it has a transformer, you might be able to get it to do the conversion.
 
David Christian said:
Hi Guys,

I recently designed one data center project. The voltage of MSB is 480V. But our client will use 415V equipment. 415V is the nominal voltage in European countries.

Is there any 480V to 415V transformer we can use? If not, is there any other solution to provide power for these equipment?

I really appreciate any suggestions.

Best,
David
Click to expand...

Actually, the nominal is 400V. As others have suggested, an auto transformer could get you voltage you want but not the 50Hz if that's what the kit needs.
 
GoldDigger said:
If you have a wye with an internally connected central point, then you cannot put two sets of such coils in series.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
this is no good ??

440px-_Delta_Wye_Transformer.svg_copy.png
 
what about basic step downs ? primary and secondary current should be very close to each other. i have assumed 1ph 416 is needed for the datacenter equip?

electronic_component-40-512_copy.png
 
Last edited:
FionaZuppa said:
what about basic step downs ? primary and secondary current should be very close to each other. i have assumed 1ph 416 is needed for the datacenter equip?
Click to expand...
An autotransformer (or buck-boost as you may call them) would be less expensive than a double wound but it doesn't get over the frequency difference - which may or may not be an issue. Let's wait to see what the OP has to say on that.
 
David Christian said:
Hi Guys,

I recently designed one data center project. The voltage of MSB is 480V. But our client will use 415V equipment. 415V is the nominal voltage in European countries.

Is there any 480V to 415V transformer we can use? If not, is there any other solution to provide power for these equipment?

I really appreciate any suggestions.

Best,
David
Click to expand...

Take a look at his forum post and the document link in it.

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=164464
http://www.missioncriticalmagazine....ome/Files/PDFs/Emerson-Proper_Application.pdf
 
Most of the major transformer manufacturers offer 416Y240V transformers for this specific purpose, going back to the days of old IBM Mainframes. Some are now even referring to them as "Data Center Transformers" because the application is so common. The data centers use them to distribute 416V 4 wire power to the racks holding servers, with the power supplies connected Line to Neutral as 240V single phase. The power supplies are converting to DC, so they don't care about 50/60Hz.

The thing is, they are typically sold as the SINGLE transformer to go from the MV distribution level directly to 416Y240V, i.e. 4160V - 416, not 480-416V. That's not to say you can't find a 480-416V version somewhere, it's just that economically, it doesn't make sense, unless the 480V is already there and needed for other things.

Using Buck-Boost transformers is fine, as long as the output is a solidly grounded Wye (4 wire).

PS: Hammond Power Solutions has some 480-416Y240V transformers in standard sizes from 15 to 112.5kVA. NMK015KY is the 15kVA, so change the 3 numbers in the middle for 30, 45, 75 or 112.5
 
Last edited:
Besoeker said:
An autotransformer (or buck-boost as you may call them) would be less expensive than a double wound but it doesn't get over the frequency difference - which may or may not be an issue. Let's wait to see what the OP has to say on that.
Click to expand...
well, i didnt mention a dbl wound. i was suggesting two step-downs and you gang them together. cheap & it works ;), but perhaps is (or is not) a 240.8 violation?

OP didn't mention if 480 service is already there or not, so obviously still many factors tbd in order to find the right solution. are they bringing in 415v systems to existing facility, or is the whole project green field?

GoldDigger said:
It is good if you only want to get a single 416 phase, do not mind isolating the two secondary "neutrals", and are OK with using two three phase transformers where a single buck-boost transformer will do.
Click to expand...
it was "as example" to your "wont work" post. OP can decide is the two dWye's collecting dust can be put to use, or if its just not an option.
 
Besoeker said:
An autotransformer (or buck-boost as you may call them) would be less expensive than a double wound...
Click to expand...
FWIW, typical buck-boost transformers over here are double wound. It is only how they are wired that even makes them into an autotransformer.
 
Smart $ said:
FWIW, typical buck-boost transformers over here are double wound. It is only how they are wired that even makes them into an autotransformer.
Click to expand...

OK. Then an auto transformer is cheaper, especially with the relatively small voltage difference.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top