European Marina 220 v dock receptacles and step down transformers

[DotDun]

Comparing the Charles and Victron:

- Victron is a toroidal transformer, Charles is 'E' transformer, big difference in weight/size/efficiency (heat)/noise.
- Victron requires additional step down transformer
- Charles weighs 157lbs
- Victron weighs 90lbs total for both units

[SV Enough]

US power mains are designed to be either phase to phase or phase to neutral. Phase to phase (hot to hot) gets you full voltage when phases are 180 degrees opposed. Phase to neutral is an automatic step down by 1/2 in just about all circumstances.

In 3 phase where phases are 120 degrees out of phase; phase-to-phase is the phase to neutral voltage (1/2) times the square root of 3.

This explanation is slightly oversimplified but is basically accurate.

Mark Fay MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E / MSC ET

If you look all that gook up it means I have US Merchant Marine Credentials for Jr. Engineer, Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Able Seafarer Engineering. I work for US Military Sealift Command as an Electronics Technician at sea. I normally keep this to myself but I'm talking about things here that demand I show some level of competence. And yes I do have a degree in electrical engineering.


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[DotDun]

Originally Posted by SV Enough

US power mains are designed to be either phase to phase or phase to neutral. Phase to phase (hot to hot) gets you full voltage when phases are 180 degrees opposed. Phase to neutral is an automatic step down by 1/2 in just about all circumstances.

In 3 phase where phases are 120 degrees out of phase; phase-to-phase is the phase to neutral voltage (1/2) times the square root of 3.

This explanation is slightly oversimplified but is basically accurate.

Mark Fay MMC Jr. Engineer QMED AS-E / MSC ET

If you look all that gook up it means I have US Merchant Marine Credentials for Jr. Engineer, Qualified Member of the Engineering Department, Able Seafarer Engineering. I work for US Military Sealift Command as an Electronics Technician at sea. I normally keep this to myself but I'm talking about things here that demand I show some level of competence. And yes I do have a degree in electrical engineering.


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Not sure of the point you are trying to make.

My comment was in response to:

Originally Posted by SV Enough

I have no isolation transformer in the US. I connect directly to the 240, 3 phase mains via a standard off the shelf Marinco single 240 to 2,120 wye splitter available at west marine, defender and other marine suppliers.

http://www.catalina30.com/TechLib/Wi...Electrical.pdf

Page 16


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I'm trying to clear up the possible confusion for the reader between 3 phase and split phase. If in fact, the marina dock you are referring to is fed with 3 phase power (which is not necessary, btw), you are connecting your 'y' cable/splitter to a single phase of the 3 phase where the transformer has a center tap, effectively 'splitting' that single phase into (2) 120v legs. This is no different than the single phase transformer in front of your house where a single phase is 'split' into (2) 120v legs.

[SV Enough]

Originally Posted by DotDun

Correction: you connect to 240v split phase main

Yes, we are talking semantics. I'm trying not to us jargon that varies place to place😊


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[SV Enough]

Yes in my case "front of house" is at the head of the pier and is a transformer the size of a shed. I was really trying not to get to deep into this.


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[DotDun]

Originally Posted by SV Enough

Yes, we are talking semantics. I'm trying not to us jargon that varies place to place😊


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But semantics are important. Those that don't understand the differences between electricity in the EU vs USA often confuse split phase with 3 phase. I've heard more than once, 'oh, the USA household simply uses 2 phases of a 3 phase service', obviously referring to the (2) 120v legs being 180° out of phase with each other. When actuality, the USA simply 'splits' a single phase into (2) legs.

[SV Enough]

Fine. This thread is about getting service in Europe on a US wired ship. And I think we have a solution.


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