Message from an ebay buyer

But whatever you do, watch out that the smoke does not escape.

That's my experience. Even smaller plastics machines usually have

3-phase sets of heaters (most of the power consumption is the heaters and the motor). The controls stuff could run off a single phase, though I've seen a 3phase transformer to supply 24V for the controls on a Battenfeld.

It should be 4 times cheaper because resistive losses increase and decrease with the square of the voltage. We're getting ripped off. Eric

Iffin you use all three conductors.

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

They only sell it to you from the Utility as 460V (now nominal 480V)

3-Phase 3-wire, or 277/480V 3-phase 4-wire - and if you can get it in as 277/480V 3-Ph 4-wire Wye it's worth the extra expense.

(They sell lots of different 277V Shop Lights that will run straight from the service Hot to Neutral, 480V is only available in a few High-Bay styles. For 120V lights and outlets you need a transformer, or a separate lighting service.)

But iffin' you only use two of the hot lines instead of all three lines, you've got 480 Volts Single Phase there, just like you want.

But don't try to cheat and use a 480V Single Phase receptacle - they don't exist - or if someone does make them (probably in a Pin and Sleeve Device) they'll be REAL expensive because they won't sell many.

Just use a plain old 480V 3Ph twist lock receptacle and only use

3-conductor cord. Hot, Hot, and Ground.

If you have several of these devices, balance the loads - First one is connected to the A & B phases, second is on B & C, third on C & A. Repeat as needed to keep the Power Utility from getting annoyed at you for unbalancing their system.

Oh, and make sure the portable cord you use is rated for 600V, a decent percentage of the cheap stuff at the hardware store is only rated at 300V. In a few years when the cord insulation starts breaking down from age, that can cause you some serious excitement.

-->--

"Bruce L. Bergman wrote

per wikipedia:

L8 connectors are used with circuits with a maximum specified voltage of 480 V AC. Supply connections are intended for two-pole, three-wire hot-hot-ground circuits with a nominal supply voltage of

460 V.

I could not find them on McMaster or Grangers, but did find

at 12.50 I would not call it terribly expensive.

Balancing is indeed important. Using the correct outlets saves breaker space and I think is the best way to assure balancing.

I have seen a lot of 460v, two pole plugs.

i