How do I supply 600V Equipment?

[theophilus88]

I am working on a giant fruit and nut processing facility in Missouri, and the owner wants to reuse (2) pieces of equipment that require 600V's..... I have told him several times that this is not possible, but they insist on wanting this voltage since the equipment is too expensive to replace. Does anyone know the best way to supply 600V's to your building? The only idea I had was to provide another service entrance transformer for this equipment which would be incredibly expensive or some sort of step up transformer from 480V to 600V. Does this even exist? Thanks in advance for any information.

 

[GoldDigger]

Step up from 480 to 600 definitely exists, although the particular size you need may be special order.
Does the equipment require three phase with 600 volts line to line? Does it require a neutral?
To avoid grounding problems (some equipment does not like corner ground), be sure to specify delta (or wye with neutral point floating) primary and wye secondary, even if the equipment only needs 3 wires.

 

[zbang]

480-600 step-up transformers do exist. Is there an Electrical Engineer involved? Should be easy for them or any decent electrical contractor to find one.

 

[xptpcrewx]

I am working on a giant fruit and nut processing facility in Missouri, and the owner wants to reuse (2) pieces of equipment that require 600V's..... I have told him several times that this is not possible, but they insist on wanting this voltage since the equipment is too expensive to replace. Does anyone know the best way to supply 600V's to your building? The only idea I had was to provide another service entrance transformer for this equipment which would be incredibly expensive or some sort of step up transformer from 480V to 600V. Does this even exist? Thanks in advance for any information.

One option is an auto transformer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[petersonra]

I am working on a giant fruit and nut processing facility in Missouri, and the owner wants to reuse (2) pieces of equipment that require 600V's..... I have told him several times that this is not possible, but they insist on wanting this voltage since the equipment is too expensive to replace. Does anyone know the best way to supply 600V's to your building? The only idea I had was to provide another service entrance transformer for this equipment which would be incredibly expensive or some sort of step up transformer from 480V to 600V. Does this even exist? Thanks in advance for any information.

Over the years I've done a number of 600-volt jobs but they all had 600 volts coming in from the utility. I don't see why you couldn't get a 480 to 600 V transformer of some sort unless the current draw is just so huge that it's not worth the effort. You might be able to get the utility to drop a 600-volt service in for you if it's big enough to require it

 

[GoldDigger]

Over the years I've done a number of 600-volt jobs but they all had 600 volts coming in from the utility. I don't see why you couldn't get a 480 to 600 V transformer of some sort unless the current draw is just so huge that it's not worth the effort. You might be able to get the utility to drop a 600-volt service in for you if it's big enough to require it

But they might bill you for the cost of their transformer.

 

[retirede]

But they might bill you for the cost of their transformer.

In the long run, that may still be better than owning the transformer. Depending on how bad they want to stick it to him!

 

[jim dungar]

In the past I have used autotransformer a to feed 600V panels and busway systems. It is not a big deal. I never even considered a second setvice.
Decades ago I field assembled a bank using standard 480:120V single phase units, but I don't think the manufacturer approves that connection anymore.

 

[winnie]

600V three phase was common in Ontario when I was working up there, so Canada might be a source of used transformers to do the job you need.

It is certainly possible to get 600V if you have 480V available, and the above posts describe several ways to do it (New service from utility, delta:wye step up transformer, autotransformer, bank of standard transformers).

Which of these is 'best' depends upon lots of details that you've not provided, such as how many kVA the equipment requires, if there are starting/inrush loads which must be supplied, if the equipment requires a balanced 3 phase supply (600V L-L _and_ 346V L-N (or L-G), etc.)

-Jon

 

[synchro]

A delta-wye step up transformer has the advantage that it provides some isolation to noise, and it also reduces the level of certain harmonic currents due to the load at the transformer line inputs. A delta-wye also typically has several primary taps that can accommodate some offset and imbalance in the line input voltages.

An autotransformer will be significantly less costly and smaller for a 480V to 600V step-up than a delta-wye. It will also will draw less current under a no-load condition. However, autotransformers often will not have taps for fine adjustments, and they provide negligible isolation to noise and harmonics.

Here are some examples of 480V to 600V step up transformers and an autotransformer, but many other kVA ratings are available:

https://equotesv2c.hammondpowersolutions.com/CPQ/Configurator/FullScreen.aspx?sessionUniqueKey=6c403483-0e59-4fe0-8380-07997edbf3b2&tabID=Detail&lang=en-US&ran=6248

225 kVA 480 Volt to 600Y/347 Volt Three phase Isolation Transformer BA225H-Q/Z3

Catalog No.: BA225H-Q/Z3 Isolation Transformer 225 kVA • Three Phase • Primary: 480 Volt • Secondary: 600Y/347 Volt Conductor: Aluminum. • Frequency 60 Hz.

canadatransformers.com

3-Phase Autotransformer 600-480v or 480-380v

For smaller kVA sizes of this design click here. Voltages: 600-480v or 480-380v This autotransformer is designed to convert either of the 2 voltage combinations listed above in order to run equipment such as solar panels, motors, CNC machines, welders, conveyor systems, pumps, printing...

store.maddoxtransformer.com

 

[petersonra]

In the past I have used autotransformer a to feed 600V panels and busway systems. It is not a big deal. I never even considered a second setvice.
Decades ago I field assembled a bank using standard 480:120V single phase units, but I don't think the manufacturer approves that connection anymore.

I think somewhere we still have a transformer bank for making 600 volts out of 208 for testing VFD panels when we are making a bunch of 600 V units. But it was just enough power to do the initial smoke test.

 

[Jraef]

But they might bill you for the cost of their transformer.

He will have to buy a transformer anyway! If the utility owns it and gives him a 600V service, they own the losses in the transformer. If he installs a 480-600V transformer downstream of the utility service, the owner owns the transformer losses.

 

[oldsparky52]

Will you be allowed to have two voltages dropped to the building?

 

[petersonra]

Will you be allowed to have two voltages dropped to the building?

Maybe. Kind of depends on your situation and your utility. Most of them are pretty reasonable about such things if it makes sense. If you need 100 amps of 600 V though it is highly unlikely they are going to do it. If you need a thousand amps they probably would.

 

[GeorgeB]

I think somewhere we still have a transformer bank for making 600 volts out of 208 for testing VFD panels when we are making a bunch of 600 V units. But it was just enough power to do the initial smoke test.

Textiles in the US south used a lot of 600V. The machinery OEM for whom I worked had 200 (208) as plant power. As some of the machinery had resistive elements and went to other countries, ours had a 200 primary with 240, 415, 460, and 575 outputs. This predated moderately priced VFDs which meant the 50Hz motors were not PROPERLY tested, but we just ran them under no-load for our pre-ship testing.