4 ms·

> Unless you're in a condo/apartment building where it's often 208V, not 240V. 208V (vs 220/230/240V) has minimal to do with it being a condo and everything to

> Unless you're in a condo/apartment building where it's often 208V, not 240V. 208V (vs 220/230/240V) has minimal to do with it being a condo and everything to do with the type of incoming power. 208V is from taking two phases of a 120V three phase service. One phase to ground, 120V, phase to phase, 208V. For the alternative voltage (named 220/230/240V depending on context), the incoming power to the transfer is a single phase. The transformer then produces a split phase 220/230/240V where each phase is 180° opposite each other. The only reason you _might_ see it more frequently at a condo/apartment is due to there being a need or desire for 3 phase power.

Scoundreller 4y ago
At least around here, condos/apartments will have big elevator, water pump and HVAC motors and therefore prefer 3ph, so 208V is the "rule" rather than the exception. Where it gets a little funny is that the Canadian standard for "industrial" power is 600V, not 480V, and that can make it hard to find replacements in some larger buildings with custom requirements.
- jsjohnst 4y ago
  > At least around here, condos/apartments will … so 208V is the "rule" rather than the exception Yeah, didn’t mean to imply it was unusual, just explaining for others that it’s not a quirk of condos/apartments specifically. > Where it gets a little funny is that the Canadian standard for "industrial" power is 600V, not 480V Speaking of 480V, you ever dealt with 277V much? That’s a real “fun” voltage to be around when something goes wrong. :(
  - Scoundreller 4y ago
    Probably the least common voltage in Canada. We’ll have some 347V though. My condo parking spot has a wonderful looking junction box above it labelled “600V”. But I’ve heard some Canadian factories will still get spec’d with “US Voltage” (ie: 277 and 480) for “standardization”, but probably so they can move the plant to the US without having to find electricians that can speak Canadian.
    - jsjohnst 4y ago
      > Probably the least common voltage in Canada. We’ll have some 347V though. Yeah, if you don’t have 480V, extremely unlikely you’ll have 277V. 347V has comparable issues to what I was referring to with 277. 480/600 aren’t voltage you’ll normally find wire nut’s in a jbox or behind say a light switch for example, but 277/347 you will. Unlike 120V though, if something were to cause it to arc (or worse, electrocute you), you’re going to have a very bad day! Not tagging off a circuit is always a bad idea, but especially when voltages are 250+.

Scoundreller 4y ago

At least around here, condos/apartments will have big elevator, water pump and HVAC motors and therefore prefer 3ph, so 208V is the "rule" rather than the exception. Where it gets a little funny is that the Canadian standard for "industrial" power is 600V, not 480V, and that can make it hard to find replacements in some larger buildings with custom requirements.

jsjohnst 4y ago
> At least around here, condos/apartments will … so 208V is the "rule" rather than the exception Yeah, didn’t mean to imply it was unusual, just explaining for others that it’s not a quirk of condos/apartments specifically. > Where it gets a little funny is that the Canadian standard for "industrial" power is 600V, not 480V Speaking of 480V, you ever dealt with 277V much? That’s a real “fun” voltage to be around when something goes wrong. :(
- Scoundreller 4y ago
  Probably the least common voltage in Canada. We’ll have some 347V though. My condo parking spot has a wonderful looking junction box above it labelled “600V”. But I’ve heard some Canadian factories will still get spec’d with “US Voltage” (ie: 277 and 480) for “standardization”, but probably so they can move the plant to the US without having to find electricians that can speak Canadian.
  - jsjohnst 4y ago
    > Probably the least common voltage in Canada. We’ll have some 347V though. Yeah, if you don’t have 480V, extremely unlikely you’ll have 277V. 347V has comparable issues to what I was referring to with 277. 480/600 aren’t voltage you’ll normally find wire nut’s in a jbox or behind say a light switch for example, but 277/347 you will. Unlike 120V though, if something were to cause it to arc (or worse, electrocute you), you’re going to have a very bad day! Not tagging off a circuit is always a bad idea, but especially when voltages are 250+.