3 phase power?

[yamaha_1fan]

If your location had 3 phase power would you try to run your lights off it? Lots of lights, not just 2 or 3 here. The ballasts being used are multi-tap so we can run 120/208/240/277. I believe 208 would be what we would use?

Or would you just try to run them off 240?

I have been told the breaker panel will not function like a house panel and getting 240 out of the panel wont be as easy as it is in a house panel. Something to do with transformers stepping down the voltage to 120.... and both legs not making 240... maybe I didnt understand.

 

[casualtoker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-phase_electric_power#Single-phase_loads

 

[chuckles]

Hey guys, been a lurker from back in the OG days. I'm a GC and Electrician. For the situation your describing you need to go with something like this. Three phase power is nothing to play around with, so if your not very familiar hire an electrician to install the transformer before you do anything else. I've picked these transformers up for less than a grand brand new. Just search the web.

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1TBR5?cm_mmc=Google Base-_-Electrical-_-Transformers-_-1TBR5

 

[yamaha_1fan]

There is at least one, maybe two tranformers already installed. There are two big boxes and I know I checked one and it said transformer on it. Cant remember if I checked both

The link you sent said the tranformer output was 120/208. So does that mean we cant get 240 out of it?


I already have the Wiki link, that doesnt really help much in this situation

 

[Orual]

I'm with Chuckles. Just a mere lurker - my second post, ha!! I'm an engineer and no electrician, so I'll stay out of the wiring. Though there maybe a benefit from a power-factor standpoint to running off 3p/higher voltage.

I'm guessin' your looking at some industrial property - haven't seen TOO many houses with 3p, I have to use phase converters for my machining equip in the garage. Familiarize yourself with the workings of the DEMAND METER, which are pretty universal and necessary in industrial settings. It records your instantaneous power draw, and thus your usage over time. This isn't for any tin-hat surveillance stuff, but because the power company needs to make sure they have enough bandwidth on the grid for everyone's peak use. There is a calculated extra charge based on your max draw and depending where your live, the charge may be higher at certain times than others (like 5p in the SE when everyone get's home and turn on the ac). Stuff to find out may be:

1. Can you stagger your lights-on time by 5 or 10 minutes, and turn them on in small batches over 30 min or an hour. Check out time delay relays on mscdirect.com. This will lower peak demand.

2. I have no idea, maybe electricians on here know, but find out just what info they pull off that meter. Probably just ask the power co.? I know it's at least max draw and the time that it occurred, but I don't know if they get the whole time history too.

 

[cocktail frank]

it all depends on what configuration the transformer is.
but multi-tap ballasts will have the leads you need to work with it.

u will either have 480/277v
208/120v
240/120v (high leg corner ground delta)
either way, ballasts are built for these voltages.
even with an ungrounded delta (3 phase, no neutral) you could work it.
no sweat

 

[duck13]

Yamaha,

If you put a two pole breaker in a 208V 3 phase panel you will have 208V single phase which is what you ballast will like. If you have a transformer in the building that is producing the 208V 3 phase then you probably have 480V 3 phase panel in the space also that will put out 277V single phase. The higher voltage you run the more lights you can put on a 20 or 30A circuit. You really need an electrician or a good wiring book.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

yes its an industrial space. I have not confirmed but word is its 400Amp 3 phase service.

The only meter I saw looked like a standard electric meter. The industrial area is not large so spikes and such may not be an issue for the power company


As far as time delay goes, yes its possible and in the plans. I was thinking about getting a board from nowirenuts/DB2004 but I dont think others would be happy about the transaction and paper trail

There will be two flower rooms and the lights will flip flop, probably all using their own ballasts and not built using a traditional flip flop. I want the lights to start up 10 minutes apart, and be on a delay to prevent hot starts.

Thats why I am trying to sort through this 3 phase stuff so I can figure out how to power the lights, then come up with a timer/contactor or PCL solution

 

[yamaha_1fan]

Thats what I got.


The nearest electrician that I trust is 700 miles away

 

[Betty's Boy]

You have everything you need right there..! from 110 to 220.. you won't need to run three leg's for any of your equipment. Take the dead face(outer) cover off and see if you have a neutral, I would say you do..it's really very easy to do. Yes electricity can be dangerous if you don't respect it. From what I can see that 4" pipe in the middle is your main feed. try turning it off and check your panel's to see if they remain "HOT" (on). if it kill's them start your wiring. Man wish I had that kinda power.... take more pic's and get back at us...! the transformer is most likely a step down from 480 off the pole to 110-220 that you can use..! If you can't shut main off...just turn off all the breaker's you plan on using..!

 

[chuckles]

Thats what I got.


The nearest electrician that I trust is 700 miles away

Like someone else noted, from the picture it looks like you have everything you need. If theres a model number on the transformer thats visible there you can look it up. If its around a 45kva, it will give you around a two hundred amp panel for 110/208/220/240. If your really unsure and just want to have some piece of mind, call an electrician and state your interested in purchasing a property and how much would they charge you to go over the service on the building and tell you what its limits are. You can use the cover of setting up a machine shop, body shop, simply purchasing commercial property to lease out, etc. Its very common for people looking at commercial properties to do this.