3 Phase Load Center

[rucus7]

We are at that point in our house construction. 3 phase has been OK'd by the PEA. It will give plenty of room for expansion in the future. Is Square D the only supplier? does safe-t-cut offer an all in one 3 phase load center?

Advice will be very much appreciated.

[chaihot]

Hi, I am working through the pricing and logistics for a major electric "overhaul" in my home using a contractor. Here are the Square D load centers ... we have chosen the 36 breaker unit for our install. I know NOTHING about electricity; but have been reading all I can to be able to understand (basically) what is ahead.

[bankruatsteve]

This probably not in favor with some of the other posters in this forum, but... how anyone in even a really large home could need 3-phase power or 36 circuits is beyond me.

For example, virtually all homes in US run just fine on 1/2 of single phase and would have to get ridiculous to have even 24 circuits. Whatever.

(Yeah - I know).

Edited July 14, 2010 by bankruatsteve

[Artisi]

This probably not in favor with some of the other posters in this forum, but... how anyone in even a really large home could need 3-phase power or 36 circuits is beyond me.

For example, virtually all homes in US run just fine on 1/2 of single phase and would have to get ridiculous to have even 24 circuits. Whatever.

(Yeah - I know).

I think it's a bit like - "mines bigger than yours"

[chaihot]

I think it's a bit like - "mines bigger than yours"

It amazes me that there are people out there who believe someone wants to have this much aggravation, hassle and cost for such trivial reasons as "mines bigger than yours."

None of you will visit my home, nor will I visit yours ... so why would I care about "size" of power??? And when I do visit the home of other people, I usually don't ask to see the electrical room.

I should just let it go at that, but I feel that comments like this really cloud the issue.

It is about comfort and standard of living. Some of us didn't move to Thailand planning to lower our standard of living. I want my house COLD, not cool. I want the circuits safe for my family. I don't want chinese copies of receptacles that only work when you plug things in "just the right way".

Some people are willing to accept less than they would in their home country. I know guys who worked hard all their life ... and now they are retired, sitting in their home (In Thailand and in the Philippines), in front of a fan, sweating because they aren't willing to pay another 1000b for utilities nor are they willing to upgrade from their under-sized aircons. It would be ok if they were happy ... but they bitch about it every day.

That isn't me.

[stgrhe]

Nor isn't me chaihot, and like you I have a 36 unit distribution board from ABB with 33 circuits used and 3 in spare. I bought mine from PMK in Nonthaburi, which is the main ABB distributor in Thailand

http://www.pmk.co.th...w&id=4&Itemid=5

I bought it as a project complete with 33 RCBOs, MCB, volt- and ammeters and surge arrester and I am very pleased with their work. PMK is indeed a professional company.

Two-compartment distribution board.

Left part housing MCB, meters, switches, fuses, transformers and surge arresters together with enhanced neutral and earth bars

Right part housing 33 RCBOs

There are many good members here on TV but there are <deleted> too, just ignore them as they are not worth to be comment on.

[Artisi]

I still think that 36 breakers is way over the top for a domestic situation, but saying that - that is one good looking switchboard and PMK is now on my list of suppliers for when I start my build project.

[longball53098]

IMHO for you it's over the top but for me I see nothing wrong in allowing yourself the luxury of being able to isolate all areas of the installation and having as many safety devices as a person thinks is adequate. I am not familiar with his house and layout but in my modest 2 bed, 2 bath place my 3 phase panel has 22 MCBs in the main box and another 5 in the sub panel. I really wanted more but I was talked out of it because of budgetary reasons.

I also agree the panel is a primo looking device and if the buyer has the baht he can do whatever fits his budget.

[stgrhe]

I also agree the panel is a primo looking device and if the buyer has the baht he can do whatever fits his budget.

Actually, if you consider my DP, shown above in my previous post, it was not all that expensive as the total price including engineering and all units was only 135 000 baht. The reason for the reasonable price was because the DP was purchased as a project, which meant that the prices for each RCBO was only between 1,600 and 1,800 baht whereas the normal price when purchased separately is about 3,000 or more.

In my case the cost drives were the left side of the cabinet and its equipment as it was specially designed to cater for my requirements. If someone is happy with only a MCB and a row of RCBOs then the price is considerably lower as there are standard cabinets available.