Electrician question-3 phase power??

[shane]

I'm in the process of building a workshop/garage at home and I haven't got a clue about electrical stuff. Does 3 phase power just come off your meter box or does it have to come off the street or something?
NO, I'm not going to attempt it myself but I've been looking at hoists and before I get the garage wired or buy a hoist i though someone here mite have the answer.
Thanks.

[GA70TT]

as far as i am aware the 3 phase power would run in from you're power dome to the meterbox

then you can run you're shed off the house maybe ?

[mr_rotary]

You need to run 3 Phase power from your power dome to your meter box. Then a run to your shed. Check with Western Power to make sure 3 phase power is available in your area. If metro, it should be available.

[tiddy]

3 Phase is available everywhere,
If you have single phase supply to your house then changing to 3 phase can be a costly exercise.
New connect to grid, mains, meter, possible board upgrade.
Would probably run a minimum 6mm cable to shed.

[2jzlux]

Just buy a single phase powered hoist, would be heaps easier.

[Steppo_GT]

Have a look at the main switch in your meter box. If it looks like 3 switches connected together then you have 3 phase. If it is just one switch on its own you have single phase.

If you only have single phase you will need to run new mains to your meter box = big $

[MMM]

1st of all do you know if you have 3 phase power currently connected?

[MrSparkle]

Check out your meter box and there will either be a single phase connection or three phase. If its only single i wouldnt bother upgrading to three phase just for a hoist. But if its three phase then its worth connecting it to your shed. Not just for a hoist but for the welder in the future perhaps?

If your not sure take a picture of your meterbox and breakers and stuff post it up and we can tell you:)

[Steppo_GT]

Also in newer houses 3 phase is a bigger meter and black with 3 lights, Single phase is a smallish cream/white coloured

[AGIT8D]

Check out your meter box and there will either be a single phase connection or three phase. If its only single i wouldnt bother upgrading to three phase just for a hoist. But if its three phase then its worth connecting it to your shed. Not just for a hoist but for the welder in the future perhaps?

If your not sure take a picture of your meterbox and breakers and stuff post it up and we can tell you:)

He outsources his welding to a bodgy shop in Mandurah :P

[shane]

Thanks guys:)


http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g24/saj_01/P1030143.jpg

[Steppo_GT]

Main switch 65Amps single phase.

[blaize]

You have single phase mate.
I suggest getting a single phase hoist mate .ive had to install 3 phase mains before and depending where your meter board is from your dome/ mains connection box it can be very costly.

Let alone having to install a new meter and a switchboard upgrade. Which by the looks of things you need due to you light circuit not appearing to be on RCD. :D

[shane]

Thanks, its probably not worth going 3 phase then by the sounds of it. I'll just get the garage wired up as single phase and look for a hoist to suit.:)
Whats the light circuit and the RCD?

[blaize]

Your RCD is your residual current device. Its protects you from electrocution. its that big thing in the board next to your 2 power circuits on the bottom left row. Due to there only being one i assume its for power. By law both lighting and power circuits have to be on RCD.

The light circuit is on the right of your main switch.So basically i you get a shock from your light circuit the supply wont be cut and it will remain live. depending on what cables you get shocked with.

All houses must have RCD's for light and power now to be sold or rented.

[joshg123]

Heaps of hoists availible in single phase Shane, either call Automotive service solutions or there are plenty of good deals in the quokka

[shane]

Your RCD is your residual current device. Its protects you from electrocution. its that big thing in the board next to your 2 power circuits on the bottom left row. Due to there only being one i assume its for power. By law both lighting and power circuits have to be on RCD.

The light circuit is on the right of your main switch.So basically i you get a shock from your light circuit the supply wont be cut and it will remain live. depending on what cables you get shocked with.

All houses must have RCD's for light and power now to be sold or rented.

OK thanks, so i shouldn't let the kids play with the hair drier in the bath then?

If any of the electricians on here are looking for a big cashie in about 5 weeks let me know.:)

[blaize]

I wasn't aware you were allowed to put 2 different circuits on the 1 rcd. i thought it had to be a seperate RCD for lights and a seperate for power. Might have to have a look at my wiring rules LOL. But yes i would still say having another RCD installed or atleast getting it looked at would be a good idea.

[forde]

Haha i work for Main Electrics.

[blaize]

Awesome. I dont see thats helps him unless your going to offer to do the work as a cashie or have an input on the subject.

[AGIT8D]

Shane give Josh a call, our cousin might be able to do it for you cheap cheaaaaapppppp

[SSICK]

Your RCD is your residual current device. Its protects you from electrocution.

dare you to put a fork into one. see if it works.



pm sent.

[blaize]

Haha thats the funny thing. Regardless you still get a shock. But the amount of them i've swapped over for not tripping i wouldnt trust one.

[tiddy]

haha blaize you forgot smoke alarms.
what im wondering is wtf are you doing with a 3 phase rcd when your supply is single. Expensive way of doing it.

new rule in wiring rules is if you have multiple light and power final sub ccts they must be split across a minimum of 2 rcds for that installation in such a way that if one rcd trips you still have remaining power

ie.. 2 power 2 light.
1 power and 1 light on each rcd.

Can use an rcd/mcb combo on the light, too easy.

[SSICK]

I wasn't aware you were allowed to put 2 different circuits on the 1 rcd. i thought it had to be a seperate RCD for lights and a seperate for power. Might have to have a look at my wiring rules LOL. But yes i would still say having another RCD installed or atleast getting it looked at would be a good idea.

40A rcd, unless adding in another power circruit another rcd is not necessary.

who ever you decide to wire the shed should put a seperate load centre in the shed with rcd protected power supplies.

[AGIT8D]

40A rcd, unless adding in another power circruit another rcd is not necessary.

who ever you decide to wire the shed should put a seperate load centre in the shed with rcd protected power supplies.

So you're saying you can run everything off one RCD? Or have I read that wrong? Certainly for rental properties etc you can't - I just had 2 installed at my place with smoke detectors.

[Firstround]

you are legaly required to have your power (lighting and GPO's) split into two circuits.


this can be split
1# 1x RCD on power
1x RCD on lighting

2# 1/2 power and 1/2 lights on each RCD.


its really up to your disgression although we would normaly recommend the first option.

all GPO's (general purpose outlets) should be protected by an RCD - this is what saves your life.


@ my house (family of electricians so yeah overkill) we have 8 circuits 6 of which with RCD's and 1x as a point for testing things like ovens. ** which CANNOT be put on a circuit for RCD's ( and obviously one for my own oven)

[4A10SHN]

Might be worth running 3 phase with your new shed shane.

You'll probably have a fair bit running off a 65A main. Hoist, compressor, grinders, fridges, lights etc etc... Actually scrap that, You used to have a pool with pumps etc now that's gone I'm sure it will be fine....

[WOMBAT8686]

If you already have a 3 phase hoist you can buy a VSD type drive that has a single phase 240vac supply and can run a 3 phase 415vac motor, not very cheap though. If you want to look into it I can get you a price.

[4SinAir]

I wasn't aware you were allowed to put 2 different circuits on the 1 rcd. i thought it had to be a seperate RCD for lights and a seperate for power. Might have to have a look at my wiring rules LOL. But yes i would still say having another RCD installed or atleast getting it looked at would be a good idea.

your allowed to put light an power on one RCD its good to so if one rcd trips out only say half the power goes out cause if one power circuit goes out the other will be on the other RCD