Guide to Common Industrial Transformer Voltages

Table of Common Industrial Transformer Voltages

Below is a table outlining the most common voltages for transformers used in various industrial applications:

Standard Transformer Voltages in the United States

In the United States, the three most common transformer voltages are 480, 240, and 208 volts. Most industrial and commercial buildings are wired to receive 480V 3-phase power. Inside these buildings, step-down transformers are used to reduce the voltage to 240, 208, or 120 volts for smaller devices and equipment.

Import Transformer Voltages

Machinery imported from other countries may require voltage supplies not commonly found in the United States, necessitating the use of transformers.

The Standard Canadian Voltage: 600V

600 VAC is the common industrial supply voltage in Canada, similar to 480 VAC in the US. Machinery manufactured for use in Canada may be designed to operate at 600 volts, requiring a transformer when used in the US.

The Crypto Mining Voltage: 416V

While not strictly an import voltage, 416 volts is often used for cryptocurrency mining. Crypto miners are configured to run on a 240-volt single-phase power supply, typically utilizing the line-to-neutral voltage supplied by a 416-volt 3-phase wye transformer.

The European Standard Voltage: 400V

In Europe, 400 volts is the common industrial voltage. European equipment designed for 400 volts will require a transformer to adjust the building’s voltage up or down for use in US applications.

The Asian Standard Voltage: 380V

380 volts is the most common 3-phase distribution voltage used in China and the rest of Asia. Transformers are used in the US to step the supply voltage up or down to 380 volts for equipment from Asia.

Renewable Transformer Voltages

“Renewable voltages” are the common voltages produced by wind farms and solar arrays. The most common voltages for renewable energy are 800V, 690V, 630V, and 600V.

Solar Array Voltages: 800V, 630V, and 600V

800, 630, and 600 volts are all common voltages used when working with solar arrays. 800 volts is more common with European inverter manufacturers, while 630 volts is usually found in large solar arrays. Lastly, 600 volts is the most common solar inverter output voltage in the industry.

Wind Farm Voltages: 690V

690 volts is the primary voltage for wind farms. Turbines create DC power, which is later converted to AC power. A transformer then converts it to 690 volts before transmission.

Conclusion

With so many different voltage variations, it’s clear that there is no one-size-fits-all standard transformer. Understanding the specific voltage requirements for your industrial applications is crucial for ensuring efficient and safe operation. For more information on selecting the right transformer for your needs, visit Maddox Industrial Transformer.