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06-30-2012, 02:24 AM
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#1
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
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3 Phase light problems.
I put a new single pole 15 amp light circuit on a 208v 3 phase service panel. Only 3 lights on it, but 1) the exact same NEW light bulbs burn much brighter than one on another circuit and 2) they keep burning out in a few minutes to a day being on. Very strange. I can't figure out why, please help, thanks!
I used a siemens instead of the ge breaker in a ge panel but I can't see that making a difference as there other brands of breakers in there too doing fine.
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06-30-2012, 08:04 AM
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#2
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Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Newnan GA
Posts: 5,004
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3 Phase light problems.
Are you sure you have a 3 phase 208 service, or do you have a 240v high leg service?
Check the voltage to neutral, and i be you find out it is about 180 volts.
Remove the siemens breaker and us the correct breaker for the panel.
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06-30-2012, 08:25 AM
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#3
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Licensed Electrical Cont.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NY State
Posts: 6,155
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3 Phase light problems.
Is this in your home or a commercial setting?
I also think you have a high leg and that is where you put the breaker. If this is the case I'll refrain from commenting further as I don't want to go there.
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06-30-2012, 08:51 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Nashua, NH, USA
Posts: 6,729
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3 Phase light problems.
After measuring the voltage at the breaker screw (to neutral) if that is in the 180 plus volt range (typically 208), move the breaker to a different slot where it measures 120 volts.
A high leg slot (they could be arranged one in every three slots) in a 120/240 volt 3 phase panel should be used only with a 3 phase breaker (triple wide) or a double wide breaker for a 240 volt only circuit (that does not use the neutra)l.
It would be a good idea to put a band of orange tape on each end of each hot wire connected to the high leg of 120/240 volt 3 phase systems. Orange tape is not needed with symmetric 3 phase systems with 120 volts hot to neutral for all legs and 208 volts hot to hot; red and blue tape is commonly used to identify the legs when all the wires are black.)
(Is there a standard for 120/240 volt equipment with 4 prong plugs and matching grounded receptacles where one leg may be a high leg and all 120 volt subcircuits are wired to the other hot plug prong? Or would this confuse too many amateur electricians?)
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Last edited by AllanJ; 06-30-2012 at 09:16 AM.
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06-30-2012, 01:26 PM
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#5
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Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Newnan GA
Posts: 5,004
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3 Phase light problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AllanJ
After measuring the voltage at the breaker screw (to neutral) if that is in the 180 plus volt range [color=#909090](typically 208)[/color], move the breaker to a different slot where it measures 120 volts.
A high leg slot (they could be arranged one in every three slots) in a 120/240 volt 3 phase panel should be used only with a 3 phase breaker (triple wide) or a double wide breaker for a 240 volt only circuit (that does not use the neutra)l.
It would be a good idea to put a band of orange tape on each end of each hot wire connected to the high leg of 120/240 volt 3 phase systems. Orange tape is not needed with symmetric 3 phase systems with 120 volts hot to neutral for all legs and 208 volts hot to hot; red and blue tape is commonly used to identify the legs when all the wires are black.)
(Is there a standard for 120/240 volt equipment with 4 prong plugs and matching grounded receptacles where one leg may be a high leg and all 120 volt subcircuits are wired to the other hot plug prong? Or would this confuse too many amateur electricians?)
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Typo Alan?
If he has a voltage to neutral of 180 volts, that will not ne a 208 system, but a 240 volt high leg.
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Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"
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06-30-2012, 01:45 PM
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#6
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Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 13
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3 Phase light problems.
I am aware of the 3rd position rule in a 240 panel. It is definitely set as a 208 panel 3 hots plus the neutral. There are other single pole breakers not in the 3rd position that seem to be fine. I will try changing the breaker and report back,thanks. BTW, it is not a home, but for a small restaurant/bar but I can't see why a commercial setting would make a difference.
Last edited by agent99; 06-30-2012 at 01:47 PM.
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06-30-2012, 02:02 PM
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#7
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Licensed Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,222
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3 Phase light problems.
One thing you could do is meter the voltage at the panel.
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Answers based on the National Electric Code. Always check local amendments.
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06-30-2012, 03:12 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Coast, Cali
Posts: 105
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3 Phase light problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by agent99
BTW, it is not a home, but for a small restaurant/bar but I can't see why a commercial setting would make a difference.
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Because in most, if not all, jurisdictions it is illegal for anyone other than a licensed electrical contractor to perform work in a commercial setting.
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06-30-2012, 03:35 PM
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#9
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Master Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Toronto Ontario
Posts: 1,161
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3 Phase light problems.
second thing i would do is look for an open neutral. You've got brighter lights on one leg and dimmer ones on the other. Odds are it's a shared neutral and you've got 140v or so on one leg and 70v or so on the other.
first thing i would do is call in a qualified electrician because 3 phase will bite you on the @ss if you don't know what your doing. not to mention you legally can't work on it without a license.
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I'm here to learn too, i do mostly commercial/industrial/new construction and this place is a great way to pick up tips on residential from some good electrical minds. Excuse the spelling, my phone has a mind of it's own.
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06-30-2012, 03:44 PM
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#10
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Licensed Electrical Cont.
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NY State
Posts: 6,155
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3 Phase light problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LooseSCruz
Because in most, if not all, jurisdictions it is illegal for anyone other than a licensed electrical contractor to perform work in a commercial setting.
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And if your area does not require licensing one should at least have the proper insurance and credentials.
Work on your own home is one thing, but work in a commercial setting is NOT DIY work.
If you have to come to a DIY message board to ask questions IMO you are NOT qualified or experienced enough to be doing such in such a setting. 
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