EU wiring question.

[itsmoked]

Let me get this straight.

In the EU typically commercial and residential locations,(don't care about industrial), three phase connections deliver 400V WYE which includes a neutral.

So you can use 400P-P or 230VP-N.

I have a 3 phase circuit board and ALL loads are going to be single phase 230V. All loads will be connected via terminal blocks and they all have neutrals between them.

Q) Do the terminal blocks have to be rated 400V - since no adjacent terminals will be different phases.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[SparkyLarks]

typical EU residential locations have a single 230V P-N supply

Larger Commercial buildings will have a a 3Phase 4 wire 400V connection. Though their phases will often be split at the main board and only have single phase sockets available throughout the building. Very few commercial locations have 400V P-P

There terminals have to be suitable for their intended use. If each terminal block has a phase and neutral then 230 V should be fine, of course you must allow for over voltage.

 

[benta]

Sorry SparkyLarks, but typical EU residential buildings have 3*230 V plus neutral (translates into 3*400 delta plus neutral), unless you're in a very backwards area or the building is really old.

itsmoked, based on your description, I'd regard your application as 3*230 V / neutral and use terminal blocks for 230 V service.
Inside your circuit, you need to watch for phase/phase clearance of course.

Cheers,

Benta.

 

[itsmoked]

Thanks Sparky.

Thanks Benta!
Now I'm doing the usual struggle of, yes the terminal blocks may be rated to that voltage but when you try to carry away the required current the traces become the clearance issue.. <sigh>

Thanks again for confirming the power services.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[benta]

itsmoked, are you very space-constrained?
P-N creepage is (AFAIR) just 3 mm. Instead of using terminal blocks on a 5 mm raster, you could choose blocks with 7.5 or 10 mm raster.

If you have a Weidmuller representative in your area, a call might be a good idea, they know everthing about EU terminal blocks (they're in Germany).

http://www.weidmueller.com

Cheers,

Benta.