> Can you wire a 230/460V 3 phase motor to 208V 3 phase panel?

Can you wire a 230/460V 3 phase motor to 208V 3 phase panel?

Posted at: 2015-01-07 
Because you say 230/460 and not 230/398, I have to wonder if you may have a motor with 9 or 12 terminals, not 3. If that is the case then yes, you wire the two winding of each phase parallel, ie in "230V" mode, and connect it to 208VAC.

Not without a transformer, of some form or another.

The most voltage you can ever get out of a 3-phase panel, is the phase-to-phase voltage. 120 V is the phase-to-neutral voltage, and 208 V is the phase-to-phase voltage.

This sounds like it is a motor that is meant for European voltages, which are at 230/400 V for three phase, and 230/460 V for split-phase. Likely, it is also meant for 50 Hz, so if you plug it in to US panel, it will rotate at a different speed than intended (unless it isn't a synchronous motor).

Usually, the voltages on a 3-phase circuit, have a ratio between them of sqrt(3). I find it hard to believe that if the ratio is 2, as in 230/460 V, that it is a "3-phase motor". This must be meant for an asymmetric "stinger" grid, with one of the phases being neutral, instead three live phases and neutral.

There is nothing called 230/460 three ph motor, usually the first number is the voltage when connected as Delta and the second is for Star connection voltage.. the ratio between them is sqrt(3) which is not the case here as the ratio is 2. If it's 3ph then the rating must be something like 230/380v.





But anyway, I'll speak generally, if you connect a motor to a power supply that is less than its rated voltage, it will run with no harm but at less effeciency and the torque will be degraded and generally it will act as a motor with lower horsepower than its real rating. The speed might be affected as well if it is an induction motor.





Note that you can wire it to the 208v panel only if it's connected as Delta (230v) as the difference won't be too high (22v) but im casee of the higher voltage configuration the difference will be too big.

1] You would need a transformer.



2] 208 V panels are usually used to feed 120V leg to leg for plugs, lights, etc, and usually do not have much power available. A motor such as you describe will probably draw much too much power to go on a lighting panel.



3] I assume the motor is 3 phase....



4] While synchronous motors will run on a slightly lower voltage, if grossly undervoltaged they will burn out. This is why brownouts fry appliances. The motor cannot get going fast enough to present sufficient back EMF to limit current.



5] When in doubt ask the manufacturer. See the data plate.



6] Much depends on what wiring connections to the coils are available.

The 230v probably refers to the motor being connected in Delta and the 460 as being in Star (Wye).





3 phase motors will sometimes have a large tolerance in voltage also rated as 50/60 Hz.





The voltages for the particular frequency will be found on the Data plate.



You will need to check.





Without further information it's difficult to say yes or no.

No, and I don't think there is such a thing as 3 phase 230/460 volt power.

NO ! UNLESS YOU RISE THE VOLTAGE WITH A 3 PHASE TRANSFORMER.