ECN Forum
Posted By: pauluk A political "standard" - 10/31/01 11:42 PM
As I've mentioned before, supplies in the U.K. at one time varied between 200 and 250V. By the early 1970s all had been standardized at 240V (415V 3-ph) with an allowable tolerance of +/- 6%.

Over in Continental Europe, most countries standardized at 220V, one or two at 230V or 240V.

In the pursuit of getting everything into a European "one size fits all" mold, the various committees decreed that all countries in the E.U. should move toward 230V (400V 3-ph) becoming the standard.

Nothing has changed here, but officially our supplies are now designated as 230V. How come?

The authorities have altered the official specification to 230V +10% / -6%. It's planned that in a couple of years the tolerance will be widened to +/-10%.

"See Mr. International Committee, we've converted all our supplies to 230V!"

Well, politically, maybe, but from a technical point of view they're still 240V +/-6%.
Posted By: sparky Re: A political "standard" - 11/01/01 11:39 AM
LOL!
well it would seem that the politicians are standardized in thier BS wherever one goes
[Linked Image]
case in point, the 2002 NEC here, for the first time, says "International Electrical Code Series" right on the cover.
Posted By: pauluk Re: A political "standard" - 11/01/01 07:17 PM
You said it! Just get any semi-official dept. involved and you can bet they'll turn out nonsense like this.

By the way, do you know any other specific countries which use the American NEC? I would guess that several of the Caribbean Islands and Central/South American countries follow it.
Posted By: sparky Re: A political "standard" - 11/01/01 10:03 PM
Good Q.
up until i recieved my 02' i had assumed the NEC to be simply a 'National Electrical Code'
[Linked Image]
Posted By: pauluk Re: A political "standard" - 11/01/01 10:35 PM
I just reckoned that places using 120V small appliances with American plugs & recepts. & other U.S.-sourced equipment would quite likely use the NEC as well, though possibly with local variations or amendments.

That would include places like Bermuda, The Virgin Islands (U.S. & British), Cayman Islands, etc.

Anyone have any knowledge on this?
Posted By: Nick Re: A political "standard" - 11/02/01 01:22 AM
Someone had a link showing this. I can't remember where. I think it was on the Holt forum but I can't find it. I'll keep looking and post the link.
Posted By: sparky Re: A political "standard" - 11/02/01 01:49 AM
Nick, is it this one? http://kropla.com/electric2.htm
Posted By: pauluk Re: A political "standard" - 11/02/01 07:46 PM
Steve,

This is one of several "World Power" lists I've seen, although I've found that these are not always completely accurate.

It doesn't indicate whether those paces using U.S. fittings follow the NEC though.

By the way, while you're looking at the drawings of the different plugs on ths site (crude, but they give a rough idea):

* Type G is the current British fused plug.

* Types D & M are the old 5A and 15A round-pin types (hence the fact that they are still found in many former British colonies).

* The old non-grounding 5A plug is similar to type C, but with larger pins spaced a little closer together.
Posted By: Nick Re: A political "standard" - 11/02/01 10:41 PM
No, the site I saw actually showed which countries have adopted the NEC. I am sure I got the link off of a thread. [Linked Image]
Posted By: motor-T Re: A political "standard" - 11/21/01 06:55 PM
I worked with a company from Germany, that made 'Air-knives ', and all their 3-phase motors were 380 volts. This is about 10 years ago now has that standard changed ?
We were told that you could run directly 380/480v motors and the relationship of 50/60 hz was supposed to be compatible.
Posted By: rmiell Re: A political "standard" - 11/21/01 10:47 PM
Hey guys, look at the cover of the 1999 NEC. It also has the words "International" on it. 1999 was the 1st year that it appeared.

I thought I read somewhere what countries use the NEC. I am unable to find it just now, but will check next week, after the holiday.

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone.

Rick Miell
Posted By: pauluk Re: A political "standard" - 11/21/01 11:36 PM
Motor-T:

Yes, like most of Continental Europe, Germany had standardized at 220/380V, but they're now changing to the new E.U. standard of 230/400V nominal.

Whether they've actually changed anything or just indulged in political meddling with the tolerances like the U.K., I don't know.

I would guess the latter, and that across Europe we will start to see true 230/400V supplies as xfmrs get replaced. That's likely to be many, many years, of course.

Big 3-ph motors aren't my specialty. The windings are going to have a higher reactance run on 60Hz than the design value of 50Hz, but even so I'm not sure a 380V motor would be happy on an American 480V supply.

Anyone?
© ECN Electrical Forums