EU power - standardized 3 phase?

[hrc]

I've been told...still looking to confirm, that the EU countries have standardized to 415VAC 3 phase (for medium/high voltage). Anyone know if thats true? Seems to me...thats a bigger problem than just changing currancy, having to redo a power grid.

Specifics are for England and Germany right now.

 

[davidbeach]

Sorry, but VAC is low voltage. Medium doesn't even start until you get to 1000.

 

[hrc]

ok...I stand corrected...but...415VAC 3 phase....thats what I was told is being standardized to.

 

[ScottyUK]

Europe has standardised, in the minds of the EU bureaucrats at least, on 400V being the new standard. They have opened out the tolerances somewhat so the 380V distribution system across the bulk of Europe just scrapes in at the bottom of the 400V band, and the 415V system in the UK just scrapes in at the top end. The physical infrastruture is exactly as it was, although through a long protracted process of replacement when transformers reach the end of their service lives the new standard will ultimately creep in.

If you think this is problematic, the other gag that the EU has forced upon us is to change the colour code for fixed wiring installations in the UK. Not too bad until you realise that blue used to be a phase colour and now blue is neutral, while black used to be neutral and is now a phase. An accident trying to happen?





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One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!

 

[Skogsgurra]

The voltages used to be 380 (continent) and 415 (UK). The EU wanted all equipment to work throughout the whole EU, so the difference in voltage had to be eliminated. It started in 1986. We (continent) saw mains voltage creeping up towards 400/230 while the Limeys saw voltage drop towards 400/230 (or at least should se it drop). The process is over now and the "wide tolerance" is now a "normal tolerance" i.e. +/-10 percent.

The effect is that some motors (many, I would say) have a slightly worse P.F. on the continent while they may appear to be undersized (but with a very good P.F.) on the Islands.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[ScottyUK]

'on the Islands'???



----------------------------------

One day my ship will come in.
But with my luck, I'll be at the airport!

 

[Skogsgurra]

Sorry, in contrast to the continent. British Isles - Islands.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org