Originally Posted By: jhagarty This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have seen 3 phase panel configurations within Condos that were formerly Apartments.
The Conversion is made to Condo but the Electric Service and Distribution remains as a Single unit not divided among the Condos. Electric Service and Cost is handled thru the Monthly assessment fee.
The Building is the Unit, not the individual Condo.
Originally Posted By: bbadger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jhagarty wrote:
I have seen 3 phase panel configurations within Condos that were formerly Apartments.
I certainly believe you I just do not understand the reasoning for it.
Apartment or condo there would be no three phase loads so the added expense of 3 phase panels and the extra conductor to each unit serves only to raise the cost of the installation. 
-- Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
Originally Posted By: Joey D’Adamo This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
This might be a silly question but are there any panels specifically listed for use with 2 phases of a 3 phase power supply? The panel in my apartment is listed as 120/240, but is being fed with two legs of 120/208. Suppose the AHJ chose not to allow this (after all the panel is listed 120/240). Would it force this approach? Or are there panels specifically for this case?
Originally Posted By: bbadger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Joey D'Adamo wrote:
This might be a silly question but are there any panels specifically listed for use with 2 phases of a 3 phase power supply? The panel in my apartment is listed as 120/240, but is being fed with two legs of 120/208. Suppose the AHJ chose not to allow this (after all the panel is listed 120/240). Would it force this approach? Or are there panels specifically for this case?
Just a thought...
Not a silly question, the requirement is that the panel rating be the same or higher than the supply.
There are times in commercial work where we use 480/277 panels with 208/120 supplies.
Square D makes a panelboard called I-Line that is rated up to 600 volts, we use them for both 208 and 480 systems. 
-- Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
Originally Posted By: jpope This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Sorry to post and run. I had a wedding to go to.
So that's what three phase looks like? I'm clueless when it comes to that type of set up.
This may well have been an apartment at one time based on the look and style of the building built in 1976.
Each unit had its own 90 amp service disconnect and meter in a common closet accessed only by DWP and maintenance personnel. One closet banked two floors of SE and meters.
-- Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
"At JPI, we'll help you look better"
(661) 212-0738
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The short answer is you won’t ever see 2 phase unless you work heavy industrial in an older area of the country. It is 2 phases 90 degrees out, like the cardinal points of a compass.
As far as I know this has to be genereated that way but you can do strange things with transformers so it may be possible to create it from the standard 3 phase distribution grid. I have never seen 2 phase personally.
I imagine they feed big buildings with 3 phases because it is what the utility has and there may be some slight efficiency issue. These days, with switcher power supplies and the triplin problem I bet that is not as attractive.
