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Odd voltages

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Old Sparky

02-26-2001 05:36:29




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Recently there were postings regarding using 277 volt equipment at 240 volts. The reason most electricians have no experience with this is that complying with the electrical codes requires that equipment be installed according to manufacturer specifications. So 277 equipment operated at 240 does not comply with code. Licensed contractors and those establishments subject to OSHA inspection must comply with the code. Use of buck/boost transformers can adjust voltages of 120 or 240 up or down in increments of 12, 16, 24, or 32 volts. For example, 240 volts could be adjusted to as much as 272 or as little as 208. Voltages within 5% of nameplate value are fine. Perhaps you have a single phase 200 volt motor (yes, there is such a thing). Use a buck/boost and operate the motor at 208.

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Dan

02-26-2001 16:54:00




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 Re: Odd voltages in reply to Old Sparky, 02-26-2001 05:36:29  
So can you tell me something? I have some 277 volt lights that I picked up at a auction. Can I use them with 240 volt & if so will they last? What is the 277 volt made for? Someone told me that they are for 3 phase but I do not know where they come up with 277 volts. Thanks for any help you can give me. Also if anyone in MN wants some of these I have about 50 4' ers that I will not need that I will sell cheap. Dan

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Franz

02-26-2001 18:28:09




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 Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Dan, 02-26-2001 16:54:00  
277 volt is a derived center tap voltage from a 480 volt transformer bank.
Now, for the bad news, Thanks to Algore and the tree hugers, most of these old fixtures are rapidly becoming worthless. They were built for 4 foot 40 watt tubes, and Algore had 40 watt tubes outlawed as energy wasters. The new tubes you can get today are 34 watt, and they don't work for squat with the old ballasts. If the fixtures are really good for your purpose, consider installing new ballasts. The alternative, check your voltage, if you have the full 240 volts, a lot of the older 277 fixtures will light on 240. They will have diminished light output, and the ballasts will run HOT, so use care in mounting the fixture away from combustables.

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Old Sparky

02-27-2001 04:28:00




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 Re: Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Franz, 02-26-2001 18:28:09  
With regard to the 40 watt fluorescent tubes, GE still makes at least 21 different part numbers of 40 watt tubes. Grainger sells these and the Grainger numbers good for shop use at moderate prices are 3V525,3V526, 3V527, 2F063. Also check at Lowe's or Home Depot to see what is available. 34 or 32 watt tubes should be used with ballasts for those tubes. The other comments of Joe and Franz are correct. Fluorescent fixtures are safer if spaced at least 2" away from any combustible material. Put spacers between the ceiling and the fixture.

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Joe Evans

02-26-2001 20:23:25




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 Re: Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Franz, 02-26-2001 18:28:09  
I can't get this straight! I meant me reply for Dan--not you or Old Sparky. OOPS!



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Joe Evans

02-26-2001 20:17:07




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 Re: Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Franz, 02-26-2001 18:28:09  
I know some electrician will chip in and set me straight if I'm wrong but here goes: 277V is derived from 480V 3-phase electrical services typically seen in most industrial applications. Higher voltages than 480 are common especially when BIG HP motors are involved, say 1000HP with a 4160 volt feed. This keeps the amperage down that the motor will draw and thus smaller gauge wire to feed the beast is needed. Anyway, if you take a reading with a voltmeter on any one of the three legs of the 480V service and measure this with respect to ground, you'll see around 277V on the meter. This would be 277V single phase. Typical applications would be to run the 480V 3PH to the big power users--motors for example--and then use the 277V for other stuff. Lighting is a common (or was) use for 277V. The 277V figure is derived from dividing 480V by the square root of 3, which is 1.732. Taking this 480v service a step further, in order to get voltages to run your trouble light, the 480V 3PH is stepped down with a transformer that yields 208V 3PH. Measure any one of these 208V legs with respect to ground, and you'll see 120V ( the square root of 3 again!) The 208v then is maybe used for lighter duty needs. Also note that any pair of legs on 3 phase 480V or 208V will get you single phase power of those respective voltages--480 or 208. A lot of transformer/rectifier type welding machines are single phase input.

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Vinnie

02-27-2001 13:21:56




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Joe Evans, 02-26-2001 20:17:07  
I am looking at a Craftsman air compressor. The tool book just says it an 80 gallon-vertical tank
and has max HP at 7. The other compressors in the book list if it is 120 or 240 etc. This unit does not list voltage-it just says to contact your local power company before ordering. The Sears 888 toll free number guy knows no ore than what s in the book. The power company said some areas have 120-208 instead of 120-240. What do you think is likely here. I'm 120-240 Will this compressor work at in my shop? It has a gray metal box that the motor sits on. HELP?

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Al English

02-27-2001 14:35:42




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Vinnie, 02-27-2001 13:21:56  
Hi Vinnie, Most places are 240. But to be sure, check it out with an AC voltmeter...Al English



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Joe Evans

02-26-2001 20:20:47




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Odd voltages in reply to Joe Evans, 02-26-2001 20:17:07  
Oops! Sorry, Franz. I meant my reply for Old Sparky.



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