We are looking to install new lamps in the parking lot lights. The poles have three phase 480 volt runniong to them now. We need to step the power down to anything below 277 volts for each pole without rewiring. Is this possible and how is it done?

 

I think that if you don´t know the answer you are not qualified enough to be connecting them. Just find someone who knows how to do it right and safe.

 

Friend, you really need to call an electrician.

If this is foreign to you, dont play around.

 

I think that if you change from using 3 wires of 480 volts to 2 wires of 277 volts, the current increase will force new wiring.

 

We are looking to install new lamps in the parking lot lights. The poles have three phase 480 volt running to them now. We need to step the power down to 277 for each pole without rewiring. Is this possible and how is it done?

You NEED to put in bulbs that will work on the voltage available and not pay anyone thousands of dollars to 'redo' your wiring.

and NO; it cannot be done without extensive rewiring. (Not to code at least)

 

We will be using an electrician. The new lamps can run on 36 volts up to 277 volts. It would be worth the re-wiring considering we will go from 3000 + watts per pole to 150 watts per pole.

 

Just be careful friend.

 

Ah! New information. It's not an equal wattage replacement. A proper description of the problem would have gotten you much better answers.

 

Your electrician can power the lights with 277 volts which is available from any one of the three hot wires and the neutral. No rewiring should be required.

 

Most likely the fixtures you will use will have a ballast transformer, just buy the correct voltage and you won't have to change anything. If you already have the fixtures, Hagen is correct, one phase of the 480 to a NEUTRAL is 277 volts. Notice we are saying neutral, not ground, this is where a qualified Electrician is needed.

 

Thanks for all the help. I thought this was going to be a huge problem for one of our new lamps, but this parking lot is special in that the poles do not have a neautral. It is always the first jobs that are the best! Even with $100,000 re-wire the ROI is at 18 months so they are still in.