Hello all, My son and his wife just took possession of a new `Second Cup` franchise in our neibourhood.(canadian version of `starbucks).As a part time residential building inspector,I took part in the turnover walkthrough.Aside from the usual little items,I came across something on the electrical side that even the electrician was not sure about.The most expensive and critical peice of equipement;the multifunction `expresso` machine;was connected to a 1kva `buckbooster.None of the socalled experts could explain what the purpose was.In fact some claimed that it was`nt even necessary.I took the manual,with a nice coffee and had a good read.The equipement is of European origin.There was a part in which it was stated that the power MUST be 230v.I will be there tomorrow with a voltage tester in hand to check it out.I`m sure that the actual reading will fall above or below the required 230v,but I don`t feel confident in asking anyone there what an acceptable tolerance might be.The only online info.I could find was on tanning beds. The service panel is 3ph 208v. Is there an electrician out there in cyber-space that might be in the know about this. Thanks from Montreal
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It's a transformer, that's being used to step up the voltage for the expresso machine from the available 208 volts to the required 230 volts. Assuming there's a +/- tolerance of 10% on the machine's acceptable supply voltage, 208 would be right at the lower limit if they connected it right to the panelboard.
Edited 12/18/2006 9:15 pm by Stuart
Copied from Dongan Transformers:
Buck-Boost means that these transformers are used to buck (lower) or boost (increase) line voltage to match required load voltage.
Buck-Boost transformers are used to correct consistently low or high voltage conditions, where the voltage difference ranges from approximately 5% to 27%. Variation of the input voltage is passed through to the output side of the transformer in the same percentage. This concept is important because the question is frequently asked if Buck-Boost transformers will stabilize variable voltages. They will not!
The most common applications for these transformers are boosting 208 volt lines to 230 or 240 volts, and vice-versa. These applications include both single and three phase lines and are particularly common in HVAC applications for air conditioning appliances.
Edited 12/19/2006 12:44 am ET by dgbldr
the buck-boost I have installed were on Heidelberg sheet presses that required the same nononsense, lack of tolerance voltage on the main.
There is also a number of ways to hook them up, with a few of those being the wrong way..
They are capable of handling large loads for their small size.
.they are used as autotransformers and the primary is part of the circuitand wiring can be tricky,even forsomeone who doesthis for a living
There is also a number of ways to hook them up, with a few of those being the wrong way..
with due respect ,if your electrician is not sure , , he should leave the thing alone
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If your expresso machine works, and is getting the correct voltage, and consumes under 1000 watts, you're good to go.
Hello again and holiday greetings to all, Thanks to everyone who responded.I just arrived home from a christmas party and wanted to take a moment to thank people for responding to my request for info.This is a great way to share information amongst pros.I have a house inspection in the morning(not too early,thankfully) so I wanted to get this message out asap.Good wishes to all.Happy holidays!
Some countries has 240 supplies. Others 220.EU "harmonised" it at 230 and with enough range to cover the old stardards.Here is the tolerance.http://users.metro2000.net/~purwinc/seec2_2.htm.
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Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bill & others,The 220 voltage is the single phase of a 380 volt 3 phase Y system. Now it has been "harmonized" to a 400 volt three phase Y system and the single phase voltage is 230 volts.The buck/boost transformer allows the expresso machine to develop full power as designed. If supplied with 208 volts, the resistance of the internal elements does not change, so the current draw is less than specified (Ohms law at work here), and there is less power to heat water. So the transformer is a great idea.Frank DuVal You can never make something foolproof because fools are so ingenious.
B-B transformers are not sized to match the load.....his total load could be more than that 1KVA transformer..
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So, are they rated for the increase/decrease in power from the line to the load?
this application for the espresso machine as I understand it is to raise the voltage available..
one side of the high and low windings are connected together, with the ....load .....being connected to either but the load will never be connected to one winding of the transformer.....
H1-X2 for boost with H2-X1 together and power applied to
H1,H2H1-H2 for buck with H2-X1 together and power applied to
H1, X2 plus one more configuration to"choke" the current.....I thinkI would suppose that for single phase hook-ups,ohms law would apply to determine the size of the unit needed, meebe an EE will clear that up
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