three phase questions

[big soft moose]

The good news is that we are getting wired in 3 phase in our new work workshop (the move is only 6 weeks away now and I am like a kid waiting for santa)

but a couple of questions occur that i figured someone would know the answer to

a) in "harminisation with the EU standard" the 3 phase supply is apparently going to be 400v - will that matter if we want to use old 415V machines like wadkin etc ?

and

b) we are apparently only getting two 3 phase sockets "for reasons of cost" - I know :roll: but i'm not in charge of the relocation project - so question two can you get adaptors for 3ph like you can for normal sockets or are we doomed to continually swaping leads over if we get more than 2 3ph machines (at the moment we dont have any, all ours are single ph, but this is future proofing)

c) and assuming I did want to extend the 3ph later to put more sockets in at the cost to our project (rather than the workshop move budget) can a normal sparky do that or do you need a specialist ? and what sort of cost are we looking at (this is just wire in conduits on blockwork so no plastering or making good involved.

cheers in advance

P

 

[mtr1]

Having just had all my 3phase gear put in, I can answer a couple of your questions. A normal sparks can do all your work no problem, and I don't think you can get 3 phase adapters.

 

[Sheik Hans]

Hi Moose
The voltage at 400 v is no real problem

i ve never seen 3 phase twin adapters for sale ( i'd be suprised if they were i cant see them being too safe ) a three phase socket doesnt cost that much and to have dedicated ones would be the safest option Installation should be fairly cheap
And if you find a spark that can't do three phase sockets DONT let him do the single phase stuff either .......... Maybe thats a tad harsh on my behalf as i dont do too much house bashing these days.
if it was my workshop i would run a small trunking full length down one side (or both sides ) of the work shop and then do conduit drops to the 3 phase sockets or single phase for that matter .then all additional sockets can be wired through the trunking .Singles cable for three phase is cheap , Just make sure they fit a decent size fuseboard in the first place Obviously this bit will be the main investment .

 

[WoodAddict]

The harmonising is only down to the colours. red yellow blue became brown black grey. The voltage is still the same as it ever was. The voltage itself never changed - it's just what we are supposed to call has changed! :roll: typical BS7671 bulls£!t. :evil: The same reason that 240v is now 230v.

I agree with the above. Beware an electrician that can only do single phase. He obviously hasn't even been to college as it's all part of the same courses.

 

[OldWood]

.

I agree with the above. Beware an electrician that can only do single phase. He obviously hasn't even been to college as it's all part of the same courses.

Three phase is just what it says (on the tin) - it's 3 phases; that is 3 X single phase in terms of wiring, hence the warning about dodgy electricians. It's that simple.

My brother and I as "competent electricians" (this is Scotland where a background in electronics qualified us as 'competent'), wired his whole cabinet making workshop with 3 phase, including a busbar system built into filing cabinet drawer mounted on the wall !!
Rob

 

[moz]

can you get adaptors for 3ph like you can for normal sockets or are we doomed to continually swaping leads over if we get more than 2 3ph machines

Yes you can.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/ ... index.html

John

 

[Sheik Hans]

does the filing cabinet have a CE mark??????
Celtic engineered !
i love it As a spark that no longers lives in England the constant rules and regulations enforced there are a source of constant amusement to me . England the only country in Europe that enforces anything . The harmanisation thing was a joke , RYB worked a treat and phase rotation was always simple .
Ive read the building regulation stuff and building inspection stuff with horror ,Not a thing here is inspected , it doesnt always mean its built badly if a building inspector looked at my new workshop he would have a fit .but least the wirings legal

 

[WoodAddict]

Part P is the biggest loads of ***** I've ever had the displeasure of being a part of! A few months ago I took the opportunity to leave the trade. I'm 17th edition and still work for a mate part-time on weekends when he's busy just to keep up with current changes and earn a bit extra cash, but as a full time 9-5 I don't do it anymore!

 

[studders]

Part P is the biggest loads of ***** I've ever had the displeasure of being a part of!

As someone who considers himself pretty competent with Domestic stuff, which aint exactly Rocket Science, I agree; Commercial being a whole different ballgame.
Wasn't it brought in as a result of some MPs (?) Son/Daughter getting killed after someone put a screw through a Cable?

 

[9fingers]

Moose, If you look up my motor write up ramblings there is stuff about harmonisation in one of the appendices.

In essence the leccy being delivered has not changed but the definitions have to allow everyone across U rope to claim they conform.

Bob

PS this message is being sent by French leccy and if you get it then it must be ok?

 

[big soft moose]

In essence the leccy being delivered has not changed but the definitions have to allow everyone across U rope to claim they conform.

Wonderful :roll: - i think i'll redefine the meaning of "skint" to allow me to spend lots of money, bleddy eurocrats

btw your avatar is out of date - the boys from the "otherside" and I have buried our differences, had a group hug (interesting experience that ) and are now swiming in a sea of peace and love - so it is once again admissable to feed mooses - which is lucky because i was getting hungry :lol:

 

[studders]

so it is once again admissable to feed mooses - which is lucky because i was getting hungry :lol:

Well..... if you don't mind me saying, I think Bob is right. The feller to your left looks as though he could do with leaving some chips on the plate.



BTW I'm not fat, I'm built for a long siege.

 

[WoodAddict]

Part P is the biggest loads of ***** I've ever had the displeasure of being a part of!

As someone who considers himself pretty competent with Domestic stuff, which aint exactly Rocket Science, I agree; Commercial being a whole different ballgame.
Wasn't it brought in as a result of some MPs (?) Son/Daughter getting killed after someone put a screw through a Cable?

Apparently so. A shelf was put up in a kitchen and the electricians hadn't used safe zones for routing cables within a wall....... The metalwork of the shelf was live!

I have no idea of the truth of this, but thats what I heard at the time. :roll: