Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.
Assuming you are using the same fixture, and assuming the fixture can operate on either voltage, you will get fewer amps with 208v than with 277v. However, a fixture designed for 208v will probably burn up on 277v, and a fixture designed for 277v will probably not produce any light on 208v.
The two fixtures in reality are quite different. The 277v fixture is using one leg and neutral of a 277/480v 3 phase 4 wire system and the 208v fixture is using 2 legs of a 120/208v 3 phase 4 wire system.
In commercial and industrial installations the 277v fixture is most common.
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
480 Volt
277v light fixtures are more efficient to operate and less expensive to install than a 110v fixture of identical wattage. 277v light fixtures are typically installed when 480V 3 Phase primary electric service supplies a commercial or industrial facility. 277v lighting circuits are single phase circuits using one of the 480v primary phases (A,B & C) to Neutral. The higher voltage allows more fixtures per circuit using smaller conductors and longer runs typically required in warehouse lighting applications. ( Amps = Watts/Volts: 400W/277V Fixture = 1.4 Amps, 400W/110V fixture = 3.6 Amps) With 480V 3 Phase primary service, 110V Single Phase power is created using a Step-down transformer. The voltage transformation process consumes power (kWh) and the 277V fixture will consume less kWh than a 110V fixture if identical wattage, especially in fixtures with ballasts such as fluorescent or High Intensity Discharge (HID), like Sodium, Metal Halide or Mercury Vapor.
no ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stepdown transformer. More expensive than buying the correct light fixture. Y-THINK-Y
No...that's too much voltage, and 277v is normally three-phase power.
277 volts is the Hot to Neutral voltage in a 277/480 volt 3-phase "Y" electrical system. This is a commercial and industrial application voltage. The purpose of using higher voltages in these applications is to supply higher power levels [watts or kVA] than at lower voltages for the same size of conductor. <><><> A 277 volt service is used for industrial lighting. <><><> A 480 volt 3-phase power service is common in factories in USA and other countries which use 60 Hz ac electrical services. If you use the 480 volt service lines in the 'star' or 'Y' configuration you will have a central neutral point to connect a neutral line. You can then get a 277 volt single phase service by using one of the three phase lines along with that neutral
It is used in Industrial lighting.
In the supply industry it refers to circuits of below 1000 volts. Common voltages used are 120v, 208v, 230v, 240v, 277v, 400v, 415v, 480v.
480 Volt
120 277V means that the electrical system is designed to handle both 120 volts and 277 volts. This is common in commercial and industrial settings where different voltage levels may be required for various equipment and lighting fixtures. It allows for flexibility in power supply options.
If the motor is a three phase the most likely voltage the motor operates on will be 480 volts.
A 240V outlet testing at 277V indicates an overvoltage issue. This could be due to a problem with the outlet wiring, poor electrical connections, or issues with the voltage supply. It is important to address this promptly to prevent damage to appliances or potential safety hazards.
277v light fixtures are more efficient to operate and less expensive to install than a 110v fixture of identical wattage. 277v light fixtures are typically installed when 480V 3 Phase primary electric service supplies a commercial or industrial facility. 277v lighting circuits are single phase circuits using one of the 480v primary phases (A,B & C) to Neutral. The higher voltage allows more fixtures per circuit using smaller conductors and longer runs typically required in warehouse lighting applications. ( Amps = Watts/Volts: 400W/277V Fixture = 1.4 Amps, 400W/110V fixture = 3.6 Amps) With 480V 3 Phase primary service, 110V Single Phase power is created using a Step-down transformer. The voltage transformation process consumes power (kWh) and the 277V fixture will consume less kWh than a 110V fixture if identical wattage, especially in fixtures with ballasts such as fluorescent or High Intensity Discharge (HID), like Sodium, Metal Halide or Mercury Vapor.
Yes, it will just not be quite as bright as it would be on the higher voltage circuit. You will see very little difference in the luminance.
no ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stepdown transformer. More expensive than buying the correct light fixture. Y-THINK-Y
No. A 277 volt ballast needs the correct voltage to operate. The 277 voltage is derived from the star point voltage of a 480 volt three phase system (277/480). The 208 voltage is a three phase line voltage whose star-point voltage is 120 volts (120/208).
It is the line to line voltage divided by 1.73. 600V / 1.73 = 347V 480V / 1.73 = 277V 380V / 1.73 = 220V 208V / 1.73 = 120V
No, it is not safe or recommended to install a 120V light on a 277V circuit. The voltage difference could damage the light fixture and pose a fire hazard. It is best to use a light fixture rated for the appropriate voltage.