Downgrading 3 phase supply

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Lct00

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I have a 3 phase supply but would like to go single as it will be easier and cheaper with solar... my 3 phase supply runs through an eskom 3 phase energy meter... do I need permission from eskom to go single phase or can I just disconnect the other 2 phases? The plan is to connect those disconnected cables with the cable that is connected, then I have like a 3 core single phase system in my DB without changing much in my DB
 
Lct00 said:
I have a 3 phase supply but would like to go single as it will be easier and cheaper with solar... my 3 phase supply runs through an eskom 3 phase energy meter... do I need permission from eskom to go single phase or can I just disconnect the other 2 phases? The plan is to connect those disconnected cables with the cable that is connected, then I have like a 3 core single phase system in my DB without changing much in my DB
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If you connect all the incoming cables together you will have 450 volts which is useless. If you just use one cable everything will be unbalanced.
 
Let me just explain it better, there are 3 single pole circuit breakers at the box outside with the energy meter of eskom in it.. so my plan is to disconnect the 2 phases there and then connect them all under 1 circuit breaker... I will have then 3 single core cables running in parallel to my DB but i will only have a red phase... so i will still have 230v coming into my house since its only 1 phase?
 
Smugs said:
Shocking how little people know about electricity...
Click to expand...

Indeed, and when you try and correct them, you get personal attacks and more... such as crying to the moderators.

Connecting the three phases together will likely result in a nice loud bang.
The whole point of having three phase is to run things more efficiently such as 3 phase motors.

Wanting to convert the thing to single phase to accommodate solar shows how little knowledge OP has.

Now I can sort of understand why this CoC bullcrap came in as a requirement for selling/buying properties
 
PaulMurkin said:
Indeed, and when you try and correct them, you get personal attacks and more... such as crying to the moderators.

Connecting the three phases together will likely result in a nice loud bang.
The whole point of having three phase is to run things more efficiently such as 3 phase motors.

Wanting to convert the thing to single phase to accommodate solar shows how little knowledge OP has.

Now I can sort of understand why this CoC bullcrap came in as a requirement for selling/buying properties
Click to expand...
Bro obviously if you connect different phases together there will be a short... reason for single phase conversion is then there is no need for 3 separate inverters or an inverter per phase
 
PaulMurkin said:
Indeed, and when you try and correct them, you get personal attacks and more... such as crying to the moderators.

Connecting the three phases together will likely result in a nice loud bang.
The whole point of having three phase is to run things more efficiently such as 3 phase motors.

Wanting to convert the thing to single phase to accommodate solar shows how little knowledge OP has.

Now I can sort of understand why this CoC bullcrap came in as a requirement for selling/buying properties
Click to expand...
Yup...

This is hilarious...
krieg said:
One can only draw between two phases at a time not three.
Click to expand...
 
Lct00 said:
Bro obviously if you connect different phases together there will be a short... reason for single phase conversion is then there is no need for 3 separate inverters or an inverter per phase
Click to expand...
You don't know what you're doing. I strongly advise you consult a qualified electrician before you kill yourself.
 
Lct00 said:
Bro obviously if you connect different phases together there will be a short... reason for single phase conversion is then there is no need for 3 separate inverters or an inverter per phase
Click to expand...

Do you perhaps know the cost difference between having a three phase supply and single phase on Eskom?

Not sure why you would need three inverters, put the circuits you want to run off the inverter on a separate leg and use one inverter.
 
If i understand this correctly you want to disconnect 2 phases on the incoming side of the breakers.
Then basically bridge the incoming side and connect the 3 wires feeding our DB into this bridged breaker ?
Is this it ?
If so your ESCOM feed will be unbalanced and have an effect or your pf. Witch in turn will lead to a more inefficient system and therefore more expensive.
 
I have 3-phase and as far as I understand you have two choices:
1.) Get a 3-phase inverter (more expensive than the single phase)
2.) Put an isolater switch on one of the phases and then connect your single phase inverter there, along with your essential appliances that you want to run off solar - so not everything just essentials.

I could be talking out my arse for option 2 but that's the advise I got from an electrician.
 
So I also want to downgrade to single phase - purely because I don't need it - house has got 3 Phase because it had a ducted aircon system which I discontinued years ago and went with splits.
I know I pay a premium for 3 phase so want to downgrade to single phase.
Can an electrician do this, or do I have to get the municipality to do it ?
 
@OP.. did you not ask the same question on another forum in 2015 ? It seems very similar.
www.theforumsa.co.za

Three phase vs single phase - The Forum SA

Good morning - I am not an electrician, but cannot seem to get a consistent answer to my question anywhere else and accordingly would appreciate advice from the knowledgeable members of this forum. I have three phase power in my house, but recently installed a inverter for solar power which...
www.theforumsa.co.za
 
Baise said:
So I also want to downgrade to single phase - purely because I don't need it - house has got 3 Phase because it had a ducted aircon system which I discontinued years ago and went with splits.
I know I pay a premium for 3 phase so want to downgrade to single phase.
Can an electrician do this, or do I have to get the municipality to do it ?
Click to expand...

Not sure where you are but here in Cape Town the municipality does that and you pay for it.
 
Robocop said:
@OP.. did you not ask the same question on another forum in 2015 ? It seems very similar.
www.theforumsa.co.za

Three phase vs single phase - The Forum SA

Good morning - I am not an electrician, but cannot seem to get a consistent answer to my question anywhere else and accordingly would appreciate advice from the knowledgeable members of this forum. I have three phase power in my house, but recently installed a inverter for solar power which...
www.theforumsa.co.za
Click to expand...
Hi Robocop
No I did not but this helps thanks. My 3 phase supply runs through one of those smart meters so I dont know if the meter picks up that only one phase is working if eskom will shut it all off so its not really about the solar but more about if only eskom can do the downgrade or can any electrician do the downgrade
 
Robocop said:
If i understand this correctly you want to disconnect 2 phases on the incoming side of the breakers.
Then basically bridge the incoming side and connect the 3 wires feeding our DB into this bridged breaker ?
Is this it ?
If so your ESCOM feed will be unbalanced and have an effect or your pf. Witch in turn will lead to a more inefficient system and therefore more expensive.
Click to expand...
Hi Robocop
Yes that is my plan and I agree with you on your point. It will be perhaps better to ask eskom then to make that conversion. Thanks again
 
Napalm2880 said:
I have 3-phase and as far as I understand you have two choices:
1.) Get a 3-phase inverter (more expensive than the single phase)
2.) Put an isolater switch on one of the phases and then connect your single phase inverter there, along with your essential appliances that you want to run off solar - so not everything just essentials.

I could be talking out my arse for option 2 but that's the advise I
Click to expand...
 
My plan is to have more of an off grid/semi off grid system than an emergency system so all my plugs and lights will run through the inverter except the geysers and oven its just that my plugs and lights are on different phases... so I believe it will be cheaper to have all my plugs/lights run through one inverter instead of a 3 phase but you create a power imbalance if most of your power is consumed on only 1 phase so therefore I think it will be best to switch to single phase then I dont have to worry much about changing wiring in the distribution board but my original concern is more about if eskom needs to do the downgrading or if an elecrtrician can do it
 
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