Chromalox Technical Documents

Technical

Technical Information
Three Phase Equations & Heater Wiring Diagrams
Open Delta & Wye Typical Heater Wiring Diagrams Contactor
Heater(s)
Three phase heating circuits are most efficient The following diagrams show typical heater L3
when operated under balanced conditions. If L2
wiring schematics. L1
it is necessary to operate an unbalanced load, Sensor
the equations below can be used to calculate Fused T/C or RTD
Disconnect
the circuit values for open three phase Delta or Fused Disconnect SPST Switches
Wye circuits. The terms used in the equations Switch Thermostat
1or 3 Electronic
are identified below: Phase Power Source Temperature Control
L1
VL = Line Voltage 1 Phase Single or Three Phase AC heater circuit using electronic
VP = Phase (Element) Voltage Power temperature controllers and contactors. Controller and
IL = Line Current (Amps) Source contactor holding coil must be rated for the same voltage
ILL = Line Current (Unbalanced Phase) L2 as the heater circuit. Control circuit requires over- current
Heater(s) protection.
IP = Phase Current (Amps)
WT = Total Watts Single Phase 120 VAC heater circuit where line voltage High Speed
R1 = R2 = R3 = Element Resistance Circuit SCR Power
and current do not exceed thermostat rating. Fuses
Breaker Controller
Rc = Circuit Resistance in Ohms Measured
1 or 3
from Phase to Phase Phase L3 Heater(s)
Power L2
DPST
3Ø Open Delta Thermostat Source L1 Sensor T/C
or RTD
Electronic
1 Phase L1 Temperature
IL Power Control
Source L2
R1 Single or Three Phase AC heater circuit using an
VP electronic temperature controller and a SCR (solid state)
VL Fused Disconnect Heater(s)
IP Switch power controller. Controller must be rated the same voltage
as the heater circuit. Control circuit requires over-current
Single Phase AC circuits where line voltage and current protection. All electrical wiring to electric heaters must be
do not exceed thermostat rating. installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code or
R2 local electrical codes by a qualified person.
ILL

Wiring & Ambient Temperatures

VP = VL VL = VP L3 Ambient temperatures must be considered
3 Phase
WT = 2VL x IL WT = 2 (VL2 ÷ R1) when selecting wiring materials for electric
Power L2
IP = IL IL = IP Source heater circuits. Heating equipment and pro-
L1 cesses may cause associated wiring to operate
WC = 2VP x IP ILL = 1.73 X IP
Fused DPST Ther- Heater(s) well above ambient temperatures. These
The loss of a phase or failure of an element in Disconnect mostat temperatures may result from heat conducted
a three (3) element Delta circuit will reduce the Switch from the heater terminals, radiation from
wattage output by 33%. heated surfaces or simply high ambient air
Three Phase AC heater circuit where line voltage and
temperatures. Nickel plated copper or nickel
3Ø Open Wye current do not exceed thermostat rating. Circuit does not
alloy conductors with high temperature insula-
have a “positive” off.
tion should always be used in high tempera-
ture areas. Outside these areas, conventional
VP Fused Disconnect wiring materials can usually be used. 60°C
IP Switch Contactor
R2 building wire is usually not suitable unless
L3
1 or 3 L2 otherwise indicated.
VL Phase L1
R1
Power
Source Heater(s)
Wiring in Severe Conditions
L1
L2 Moist or wet locations require gasketed termi-
DPST
IL Thermostat nal and junction boxes to protect equipment
and wiring. Rigid conduit is recommended.
Single or Three Phase AC heater circuit where line volt-
VP = VL ÷ 2 VL = VP X 2 Hazardous Locations require the use of ap-
age and current exceed thermostat rating. Separate con-
WT = IL x VL WT = VL2 ÷ 2R1 trol circuit can use a single pole or double pole thermostat. proved explosion-proof terminal and junction
IP = IL IL = IP Control circuit requires over-current protection. boxes. Rigid conduit or mineral insulated (MI)
RC = VL2 ÷ WC cable is mandatory in Division 1 areas. Some
INFORMATION

WARNING — Hazard of Electric Shock. Any Hazardous Locations may require conduit
TECHNICAL

The loss of a phase or failure of an element in installation involving electric heaters must be seals (EYS) adjacent to the equipment.
a three (3) element Wye circuit will reduce the effectively grounded in accordance with the
wattage output by 50%. Heating elements are National Electrical Code to eliminate shock
basically in series on single phase power. hazard.

I-37