I have a commercial building, the utility service is 200 amp 240V 3phase delta power. The building owner wants to install a piece of equipment that has electrical requirements of 60Amp/480 Volt 3 phase. In speaking with some local electricians I've found it seems "uncommon" for an application such as this where the secondary voltage will be 480 and the primary 240. Is this a common practice to do this? BTW, 480Volt power from the utility is cost prohibitive in the area this is. Thanks anyone for your comments.
step up transformer
- Thread starter nizak
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
Assuming the capacity is available its no problem.
Order a 240 volt primary 480 volt secondary transformer.
Order a 240 volt primary 480 volt secondary transformer.
beanland
Senior Member
- Location
- Vancouver, WA
Voltages and tripping
Voltages and tripping
The new load is 50kW at 480V. The existing service is rated for 83kW. I think you are going to have problems. The 240-480V transformer, square D makes them, will introduce voltage drop. If you are adding a motor, the starting current could drop voltage significantly and you will have problems. Depending on the sizeof the utility transformer(s), there may not be enough capacity.
Sorry to say, IMHO, I think a service upgrade is needed. If you could go to 480V 200A, then step down for the small existing 240V load, you might be able to serve the added load and hold costs down, somewhat.
Is this new piece of equipment available in a 208V version? That might solve the voltage drop problem but I think you will have problems with supurious(?) tripping of the main breaker because you are so close to the rating.
Voltages and tripping
The new load is 50kW at 480V. The existing service is rated for 83kW. I think you are going to have problems. The 240-480V transformer, square D makes them, will introduce voltage drop. If you are adding a motor, the starting current could drop voltage significantly and you will have problems. Depending on the sizeof the utility transformer(s), there may not be enough capacity.
Sorry to say, IMHO, I think a service upgrade is needed. If you could go to 480V 200A, then step down for the small existing 240V load, you might be able to serve the added load and hold costs down, somewhat.
Is this new piece of equipment available in a 208V version? That might solve the voltage drop problem but I think you will have problems with supurious(?) tripping of the main breaker because you are so close to the rating.
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