Control voltage
Control voltage
(OP)
Looking over an Electrical Design specification for a proposed plant in Germany (owner and Engineering oversight in the USA), the MCC low voltage level is 400V, 50Hz, 3 phase.
Smaller loads/motors will be 230V.
The specification indicates that the control voltage (for contactors, etc.) will be 110VAC.
I've seen 220VAC used directly from the 380V bus for motor contactors, but not stepped down to 110VAC.
Is 110VAC common in Europe for control voltage?
Smaller loads/motors will be 230V.
The specification indicates that the control voltage (for contactors, etc.) will be 110VAC.
I've seen 220VAC used directly from the 380V bus for motor contactors, but not stepped down to 110VAC.
Is 110VAC common in Europe for control voltage?
______________________________________________________________________________
This is normally the space where people post something insightful.





RE: Control voltage
----------------------------------
Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: Control voltage
That said, if your owner company is US based, they may have a valid reason for wanting control schemes to be universally similar across the company facilities, adjusted only for local line power supplies. Don't ASS-U-ME that this is a mistake, it may be a carefully planned compromise. It never hurts to ask (politely) of course.
JRaef.com
"Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems." Scott Adams
For the best use of Eng-Tips, please click here -> FAQ731-376
RE: Control voltage
You are right, in europe 110 V is not a normal Voltage but
I Think is a design matter, due to the Coil voltages could be anyone. Europeans normally use 220 V for control and in USA you could find 110 or 220 Volts, for safety reasons the 110 Volts could be the best choice.
Taking acount your company engineering is from USA they are following the american guidelines.
Regards,
Petronila
RE: Control voltage
One more thought: most MCC designs in the UK don't bring the neutral into the starter bucket - switchgear frequently does, but not motor starters. Do the German designs normally have the neutral available? My concern is that it isn't 240V but 415V which is used as a control voltage.
And I thought there was universal harmonisation across Europe... that'll teach me to believe politicians!
----------------------------------
Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: Control voltage
RE: Control voltage
110Vac is like flared jeans: out of fashion.
RE: Control voltage
Darn, are flared jeans out of fashion again?...