I have a project where the interior designer is providing European LED Lighting which requires "220v" but the voltage is 208v to the building. After doing a little research, it appears the L-N voltage in Europe is 220v but the only way I can get close to that voltage is by bringing a two phase conductors. Any ideas on how to handle this other than to tell them to go find a light manufactured in the US?
European Lighting
- Thread starter Npstewart
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petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
luminaires are required to be listed. are they listed?
if they are listed there is no reason you cannot just add a small transformer to kick the voltage up to the required level, although a close look at the instruction manual might reveal that 208 V is adequate. You are going to need two hot wires unless you create 220 V from an SDS and ground one side.
Maybe the best bet is to try and get the designer to change them.
if they are listed there is no reason you cannot just add a small transformer to kick the voltage up to the required level, although a close look at the instruction manual might reveal that 208 V is adequate. You are going to need two hot wires unless you create 220 V from an SDS and ground one side.
Maybe the best bet is to try and get the designer to change them.
brantmacga
Señor Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Former Child
Get a cut on the drivers; there is likely a voltage range of 100-240v and frequency range of 50/60hz.
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Agreed. The more I think about this, the more it is shaping up to be a disaster, especially once these have to be dimmed...
Kansas Mountain
Senior Member
- Location
- Oklahoma, United States
- Occupation
- Lighting and Lighting Control Designs
Not all, but a lot of European decorative light manufacturers (and equipment manufacturers) offer UL listed versions of their products for the US market that are operable at 120V, even if it is not indicated anywhere on the spec sheets or website. Worth a call to verify.
DrSparks
The Everlasting Know-it-all!
- Location
- Madison, WI, USA
- Occupation
- Master Electrician and General Contractor
I tried using european insteon dimmers on 60hz led bulbs and the flickered badly.
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- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
As said, the first question would be if they are listed. If not, the discussion is over, you cannot install them (and meet code). Artsy-fartsy designers like to specify stuff they see in catalogs but don’t understand the details of it needing to be appropriately listed for use here. It often falls on the EC to explain that to them.
If they are listed then most likely you will find what brantmacga said. Most LED drivers (the power supply) are now “universal” input in that they automatically adjust to any incoming voltage within a range, usually 100-250V 50/60Hz.
If they are listed then most likely you will find what brantmacga said. Most LED drivers (the power supply) are now “universal” input in that they automatically adjust to any incoming voltage within a range, usually 100-250V 50/60Hz.
DrSparks
The Everlasting Know-it-all!
- Location
- Madison, WI, USA
- Occupation
- Master Electrician and General Contractor
That's what I thought but we purchased some vintage looking Edison bulbs that were LED and they flickered. Also x-10 and insteon european modules don't work with 3 phase power at 60hz. I've pretty much abandoned insteon.
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