3 Phase Electrics

[deanflyer]

Just moved into a new house recently a noticed the main distribution panel CB is 3 way. Im not too up on house electrics, but does that mean I have 3 phase input?

Its a big hager distribution panel and the switch says 100amp 415v.

Do I just then have to install a 3 phase CB on the output side? This would be ideal for me getting 3 phase woodworking equipment.

And before anyone suggests, yes I will get a sparkie in to do this!!
Thanks

Dean

 

[securespark]

Please post a piccy!

If you're going to install rotating machinery, please take steps to eliminate stroboscopic effect.

 

[deanflyer]

Here you go:-

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• deanflyer
• 29 Jun 2008
• 1

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• deanflyer
• 29 Jun 2008
• 1

 

[RF Lighting]

Can you post a picture of your incomming service head & meter?

It is a TP dist. board, but in larger houses, it is not uncommon to see this type of board installed with a single phasing kit.

One more thing, why is the circuit breaker labelled as "fire alarm DO NOT SWITCH OFF" switched off?

 

[Spark123]

Please can you also post a close up piccy of those devices on the right hand side?

 

[securespark]

They look like Hager DP RCD's.

Is the dwelling an ex-hostel or boarding house or hotel?

The reason the Fire Alarm is switched off is because it's probably half-dismantled or false-alarming...Maybe it is disused.

 

[Spark123]

Agree with that, they do look a bit like RCCBs. Are they fed from some of the MCBs on the left hand side? I know it is naughty, any chance of a piccy with the front off? Turn off the main switch first.

 

[securespark]

I know it is naughty,

Why?

Is looking at a CU with the cover off the elecrical equivalent of looking at a nudey girl?

We're back in the realms of electrical p*rn again!!

 

[Spark123]

We wouldn't want to get some of our members over excited now, would we?

As this is domestic, turning off the main switch will not isolate the neutral so is a little bit naughty.

 

[securespark]

My member is not over-excited, how very dare you!

 

[deanflyer]

Ive never looked at the meter yet, its outside in its own box and I dont have the key to open it.

Its an ex-care home BTW. A lot of services are disabled such as fire-alarm as theyre not installed anymore.

I'll see if I can get a pic of the inside of the DP tomorrow morning, cant turn it off now as girlfriend is watching TV!!

Dean

 

[Lectrician]

Agree with that, they do look a bit like RCCBs. Are they fed from some of the MCBs on the left hand side? I know it is naughty, any chance of a piccy with the front off? Turn off the main switch first.

They are DP RCBO's - They are NOT fed via an MCB. They attach to the busbar, but take up two modules. They have an empty area where the 'unused' phase sits.

 

[Spark123]

I have used GE RCBOs which are like that with the flying lead, just thought the Hager ones in the pic looked very much the same as their normal RCCBs, can't zoom in far enough to read what it says on the device tho

 

[Lectrician]

Hagar do double pole and single pole RCBO's. The double pole switches the neutral aswell as the phase, but takes up two modules.

The sinlge pole one does not switch the neutral, and takes up just one module.

 

[deanflyer]

Sorry for the delay, heres a pic of the distribution unit open.

Guess its single phase then?

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• deanflyer
• 16 Jul 2008
• 1