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When a machine or process requires 208 volts but your facility only has standard 240-volt outlets, you must consider installing 208 V phase power. Installing phase power involves special equipment and lots of planning. The cost is also more than double the cost of a standard 240-volt outlet. However, the benefits of having 208 V phase power in your facility far outweigh the cost and effort required to install it. Consider these three factors when choosing whether — and how — to install 208 V phase power in your facility:
Determine How Much 208 V Power Is Needed
The first decision you must make when choosing 208-volt phase power is how much you need. There are two ways to do this — manually or using a 208 V calculator. Manually — When calculating the amount of 208 V power needed, you must consider the number of machines and the total power output of each machine. You can then determine the total amount of 208 V power needed. For example, if you have three machines that each require 208 V, and each machine has a 15 horsepower motor, you need 540 horsepower. A horsepower is a unit of measurement of the rate at which energy is delivered. Because 208 V is twice the amount of power of standard 120 V outlets, you need twice the amount of 208 V outlets to support the same amount of machines. A 208 V calculator can also be used to determine how much power you need. Simply enter the details of the machine you want to power and the calculator will tell you the voltage and amperage it needs. You then enter the amperage of the circuit breaker you need and the calculator will tell you the voltage required.
Decide Where to Install the Phase Power
When choosing 208-volt phase power, the first thing to consider is whether you need 3-phase or 208 V. There are several factors that will help you decide which 208 V power is right for you. 3-phase — If you have machines that require 208 V, but don’t need 3-phase power, then a 208 V circuit breaker and outlet is the right choice for you. There are two types of 208 V circuits — single-phase and 3-phase. Single-phase has one hot line and one neutral line. 3-phase has one hot line and two neutral lines. The difference between the two is the way the power is distributed within the circuit. 208 V — If you have machines that require 208 V and 3-phase power, then you need to install a 208 V circuit breaker and outlet. If you have machines that require 208 V and 3-phase power, you must install a 208 V circuit breaker and outlet. Since 208 V circuits operate at 208 volts, you don’t need a special transformer to convert the voltage.
Determining Whether You Need 3-phase or 208 V
Before you install 208-volt phase power, you must first determine if your machines require 208 V or 3-phase power. To do this, you need to know the manufacturer’s recommended input voltage for the machine. You can find this information listed in the owner’s manual or on the machine itself. If you have a machine that requires 208 V, you can install 208 V phase power. If you have a machine that requires 208 V and 3-phase, you must install 3-phase power.
Installing 3-phase Power
If your machines only require 208 V, you can install a 208 V circuit breaker and outlet. To do this, you need a 208 V circuit breaker, an outlet, and a 208 V panel. You can either install these components in a new panel or in an existing one. A 208 V circuit breaker is installed on the main circuit breaker panel. If the panel is rated at 208 volts, you can install a 208 V circuit breaker in it. If not, you can install a 208-volt circuit breaker in a new panel that’s dedicated to 208 V power. You must install a 208 V panel at least 10 feet away from any other panel. This is because 3-phase power can travel a long distance and you don’t want it interfering with other circuits.
Installing a Dedicated 208 V Outlet
If you have machines that require 208 V and 3-phase power, you must install a 208-volt circuit breaker and outlet. To do this, you need a 208 V circuit breaker, an outlet, and a 3-phase panel. You can either install these components in a new 3-phase panel or in an existing panel. A 208 V circuit breaker is installed on the main circuit breaker panel. If the panel is rated at 208 volts, you can install a 208 V circuit breaker in it. If not, you can install a 208-volt circuit breaker in a new panel that’s dedicated to 208 V power. You must install a 3-phase panel at least 10 feet away from any other panel. This is because 3-phase power can travel a long distance and you don’t want it interfering with other circuits.