Suggestions to electronclem (Electrical) Jan 21, 2004 marked ///\\Other than the obvious difference of wire size for different applications, is there a significant difference in energy consumption when comparing 480 3phase to 240 3phase?
///480V power distribution system will experience higher leakages than 208V (rather than 240V) over longer period of time since dust, moisture, etc. are relatively more detrimental to higher voltages than to lower voltages.
Beside the energy consumption, there are other factors involved, e.g.
1. Size and total consumption of the project. The standard 208V three phase transformers end at 2000kVA. Anything above will be noticeably costlier.
2. Nature of loads. Some 480V loads tend to have smaller dimensions, tend to be lighter, more efficient, more perfected, in some instances more readily available, etc. However, some projects have many 120V loads and outlets, which favor 208V/120V power distribution.\\