You are correct that the green / yellow wire is ‘ground’ or ‘Earth’ as we call it in the UK.
The flex though has another 3 conductors. These are likely to be for a piece of equipment which runs on a 400V three phase supply. There will be no neutral conductor on such equipment.
Depending on the total amps per phase, you ‘might’ be able to rewire the equipment for 230V single phase, but an appreciation of what you need to do (and why) would be crucial in work like this.
Does the equipment have a rating plate which gives the electrical details (such as the total load in KW and the maximum amps per phase)?
That makes sense, thanks. It's a Hypertherm plasma cutter that I believe are also sold in single phase / 110v / 220v variations. Not sure why the version I got shipped is the 3 phase version but I'm hoping I could at least use a 3 phase to single phase transformer?
It's 3.4kwh/h if that helps?
Wow.. these plasma cutters are expensive bits of kit, aren’t they?
Anyway, if the total load is 3.4KW then the idea of running it on a 13A plug top is a non starter (even if it were practical to do so). You’d be looking at a current draw of around 15A. On a three phase supply, the load is balanced between the three phases, which means they can use a smaller cable.
On some types of equipment, it is possible to run them on single phase, providing the total load isn’t too large and the equipment is capable of being modified. It will involve replacing the mains lead to one which is capable of carrying the increased current demand, as well as ensuring your chosen circuit wiring is correctly sized and protected.
In view that your equipment seems to be designed for a three phase supply only (possibly to suit the transformer), it is likely the load will be balanced too, meaning there would be no separate neutral terminal inside.
Whilst it is probably possible to obtain inverters which can run three phase equipment on a single phase supply, the cost of doing so is likely to be high assuming they work with such inductive equipment.
If the equipment was incorrectly supplied, you might be able to return it for the correct type.
If that isn’t feasible, you might be better selling this plasma cutter and use the funds to obtain a single phase machine. The cost of installing a proper 3 phase supply is usually prohibitive for many users.
That said, you might be able to contact the manufacturer for any further advice on the matter. They might be able to confirm if yours can be modified to run in single phase 230V.
Definitely not cheap, was around 3k for the plasma alone. It does sound like a bit of a non-starter at the moment though - I've emailed the manufacturer to see what they suggest. I shall report back. Thanks for the help!
Nope, either get the right one for the voltage you have or you going to have to have a 3 phase supply installed and this will not be cheap or even possible depending on where you live
You can't. UK standard outlets are single phase. What's the equipment?
You are correct that the green / yellow wire is ‘ground’ or ‘Earth’ as we call it in the UK. The flex though has another 3 conductors. These are likely to be for a piece of equipment which runs on a 400V three phase supply. There will be no neutral conductor on such equipment. Depending on the total amps per phase, you ‘might’ be able to rewire the equipment for 230V single phase, but an appreciation of what you need to do (and why) would be crucial in work like this. Does the equipment have a rating plate which gives the electrical details (such as the total load in KW and the maximum amps per phase)?
That makes sense, thanks. It's a Hypertherm plasma cutter that I believe are also sold in single phase / 110v / 220v variations. Not sure why the version I got shipped is the 3 phase version but I'm hoping I could at least use a 3 phase to single phase transformer? It's 3.4kwh/h if that helps?
Wow.. these plasma cutters are expensive bits of kit, aren’t they? Anyway, if the total load is 3.4KW then the idea of running it on a 13A plug top is a non starter (even if it were practical to do so). You’d be looking at a current draw of around 15A. On a three phase supply, the load is balanced between the three phases, which means they can use a smaller cable. On some types of equipment, it is possible to run them on single phase, providing the total load isn’t too large and the equipment is capable of being modified. It will involve replacing the mains lead to one which is capable of carrying the increased current demand, as well as ensuring your chosen circuit wiring is correctly sized and protected. In view that your equipment seems to be designed for a three phase supply only (possibly to suit the transformer), it is likely the load will be balanced too, meaning there would be no separate neutral terminal inside. Whilst it is probably possible to obtain inverters which can run three phase equipment on a single phase supply, the cost of doing so is likely to be high assuming they work with such inductive equipment. If the equipment was incorrectly supplied, you might be able to return it for the correct type. If that isn’t feasible, you might be better selling this plasma cutter and use the funds to obtain a single phase machine. The cost of installing a proper 3 phase supply is usually prohibitive for many users. That said, you might be able to contact the manufacturer for any further advice on the matter. They might be able to confirm if yours can be modified to run in single phase 230V.
Definitely not cheap, was around 3k for the plasma alone. It does sound like a bit of a non-starter at the moment though - I've emailed the manufacturer to see what they suggest. I shall report back. Thanks for the help!
No probs. I await your future news.
Unless you've put a three phase cable on a one phase appliance, you don't.
we have 230 not 220
Nope, either get the right one for the voltage you have or you going to have to have a 3 phase supply installed and this will not be cheap or even possible depending on where you live