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Subject - transformer
dragon being a marine electrician i've hooked countless three phase generators on boats. all of them a wired for 120/208. that way i have three single phases to work with and three phase for my motors. the yard i use to work at for years had 120/240 three phase in the plant. . it never bothered me but you always had to be careful for the high leg. it was a large boat yard and there was always someone hooking a boat up for 240volt single phase and not paying attention to the high leg and burn lots of stuff up on the boat. my question is what is the advantage and disadvantage of the two systems. i would think the 120/208 would always be better. all motors i've seen are rated 208 or 240.
JimmyDee The 240 3 phase can be hooked open delta and save a transformer. The 208 system can only be run with 3 transformers. The 240 is a tad bit better as far as the 3 phase motors because the motors draw a bit less amperage for the same HP.
The 208 system is a bit more forgiving because of no wild leg but the 3 equal sized transformers will end up costing a lot more than an open delta system that has one large transformer for the lighting load and a smaller one to complete the open delta system.
The 240 3 phase system is good for electricians because it sometimes keeps unqualified hands out of the panels.
Jim
iwire I agree with Jimmy it is strictly a money saver for the power company.

I have not seen a high leg service installed in this area for a good many years. The power company's around here just make the customer buy the transformer(s). Typically this will be a single three phase pad mount transformer.
sparkyvolt gotta love that stinger leg aaaaaaa