[BC] to fluorescents

[PeterH5322]

>I've often thought how much simpler and more efficient it would be if
>we in the US used a single 230/400V wye system like most of the rest
>of the world.  Just run smaller appliances off one phase (230) while
>large commercial stuff use all three (400V).  Smaller wires, less
>voltage drop and no complexity of multiple power systems.  Today's GFI
>breakers make this as safe as our low voltage system.

Sure, but "the powers that be" long ago decided that residences should be 
protected from themselves, and be allowed a maximum of 115 volts to 
ground (this decision was made long, long before there was a requirement 
for a groundING conductor, and, in fact, long, long before there was a 
requirement for a polarized plug and receptacle combination, with a 
designated neutral terminal).

The North American 115/230 system is a 230 volt version which still meets 
the basic requirement of 115, maximum, to ground.

Most wiring devices, including panelboards, etcetera, are based upon that 
system.

A single-pole breaker costs about $8. A double-pole common-trip breaker 
costs about $16. Yet a triple-pole common-trip breaker costs about $90, 
and double-pole "delta breaker" (for use in "corner grounded" situations) 
costs about the same as a triple-pole breaker.

120/240 three-phase is a good option, for small premises, and it can use 
most of the devices I mentioned, above.

120/208 Y, also.

277/480 is the modern update of the 120/208 Y concept, and most new users 
have adopted this system.

240 Delta and 480 Delta are essentially archaic systems. Particularly the 
"corner grounded" variants.

Besides, a modern broadcast plant should be using MCCBs and other devices 
intended for commercial installations, not "push on" or "stab on" devices 
which are really only suitable for the most cost-sensitive of 
applications, such as residences and light commercial installations.

MCCBs and industrial panelboards and switchgear for transmitters and 
other "mission critical" loads, including lighting.

Conventional panelboards for utility lighting and plugs which are not in 
"mission critical" areas is certainly OK.

At this point, it really doesn't matter whether 277/480 Y or 230/400 Y is 
selected. W opted for 277/480 Y too long ago for 230/400 Y for be of any 
significance.

Besides which, 220/380 Y and 240/415 Y is, or was far more popular than 
the recently "harmonized" 230/400 Y.

(This is, after all, North America, not Europe, and we do have OUR 
systems, and they seem to work well for us).

At the very large electric utility at which I was formerly employed in 
another lifetime, we could supply almost anything our customers wanted, 
from 120 to 34.5 kV, without extra cost.

4.8 and 34.5 kV could easily supply 1 MW (1000 KVA), or more, and we had 
many such customers.

A typical 50 kW AM plant seldom required more than about 333 KVA, and for 
this, 4.8 kV was the usual source, even if doubly redundant.

(Besides which, there were only two 50 kW transmitter plants wholly 
within L.A.'s jurisdiction: KMPC and KDAY; the rest were in SCE 
territory, as was Wilson for FM and TV).

If a customer wanted 4160, then he had to supply the transformer and the 
vault at his expense, and we would give him 4160 from our 34.5 kV system. 
Also doubly redundant, if requested.