3-Phase 208 to Single Phase


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Old 02-04-19, 11:01 AM
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3-Phase 208 to Single Phase

I have a piece of equipment that requires single phase 208V, but we do not currently have a 208 1 ph circuit available. However, there is a nearby 208V 3-phase outlet. Is there a safe way to adapt from a 3-phase outlet to a single phase 208 outlet? E.g. use a plug/cord that takes two adjacent phases to get the 208V and the third would be ground? The equipment connector is an IEC C14 outlet (like a computer power supply).
 
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Old 02-04-19, 12:24 PM
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I found a place that sells a power cord with an L15-30P plug on one end and C13 on the other, which is what we need. I'm assuming that since this is something available for purchase, that it is a legitimate way to connect things. The 30A rate plug to 14 AWG cord concerns me though.
 
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Old 02-04-19, 02:46 PM
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I would not worry about the cord as long and the load of the equipment does not exceed the rating of the cord. It would be similar to using a smaller cord on the appliance circuit in a house. That toaster does not have #12 in the cord.

Could you post a link for this cord? I'm interested in seeing this unicorn.
 
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Old 02-04-19, 04:25 PM
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Never seen an L15-30P cable. I've seen L5-30P cables.

lockingpowercords.com/products/107-l5-30-to-c13-power-cord.aspx
 
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Old 02-04-19, 08:43 PM
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This is the cable. L15-30P to C13...
https://www.pduwhips.com/products/2337-l15-30p-to-c13-splitter-cords.aspx
 
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Old 02-05-19, 04:51 AM
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Wrong link. This is the one: https://www.pduwhips.com/products/2333-l15-30-to-c13-power-cord.aspx
 
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Old 02-05-19, 06:04 AM
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You can make an adapter cord that has a female receptacle end that the equipment plug fits and has a male plug that fits into a 3 phase wall receptacle of the same amperage. (For a single phase 208 volt or 240 volt adapter one of the power prongs of the male plug would have nothing connected to it.)

If the only wall receptacle is of a greater amperage then you can still make an adapter cord but the adapter cord must have a box in the middle with a fuse or breaker that matched the female end. Such an adapter is technically a portable subpanel. (You could call it a wall wart cord if the box were at the male end or call it a power strip if the box were at the female end.)

Prongs and prong slots may not be repurposed. You may not use a 3 phase ungrounded plug or receptacle with one of the 3 power prongs or slots as a ground-only connection.
 
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Old 02-05-19, 07:22 AM
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but the adapter cord must have a box in the middle with a fuse or breaker that matched the female end. Such an adapter is technically a portable subpanel.
Is this something available on the market, or would it need to be custom made?
 
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Old 02-05-19, 04:51 PM
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I see nothing wrong using the adapter cord you posted in link #6. I do not feel you need any other overcurrent protection for the reasons I have already stated. Again, just make sure you do not exceed the rating of the cord.
 
 

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