New one on me...weird dual voltage motor

[peter d]

I saw a 3-phase 208/416 voltage motor on an old planer this past weekend. It was running on single phase 240 with a static phase converter.

Now, 416 volts is perfect for use in Europe, but here in the U.S.? The motor was American as apple pie so it rules out that possibility.

 

[peter d]

Yeah...so I forgot to actually ask a question. :roll: Was/is 416 volts ever used in the U.S.? I don't see why they would make a dual voltage motor for an non-existent voltage system.

 

[jim dungar]

Yeah...so I forgot to actually ask a question. :roll: Was/is 416 volts ever used in the U.S.? I don't see why they would make a dual voltage motor for an non-existent voltage system.

No, the US never used 416V.

But, dual rated US-European equipment is not a new concept. I have seen equipment from the 30-40's with European and North American ratings.

 

[rabtrfld]

Yeah...so I forgot to actually ask a question. :roll: Was/is 416 volts ever used in the U.S.? I don't see why they would make a dual voltage motor for an non-existent voltage system.

Wouldn't 240-wye be 416-delta? (In the same way that 277-wye is 480-delta)

 

[weressl]

Wouldn't 240-wye be 416-delta? (In the same way that 277-wye is 480-delta)

That is correct, 480V system voltage have equipment marked 460V to allow voltage drop.
The EU system has 240/415V nominal and 220/380V utilization level.