240V or 277V?

COMPARATIVE PRESENTATION
Considerations in
system voltage
DESIGN CONSIDERATION IN
SYSTEM VOLTAGE SELECTION
 Industrial and commercial facilities normally have 480V/277V,
although 230V is also required for convenience receptacles
and small machineries.
 Referring to the as-built plans, the BSP-SPC industrial plant was first
designed to have a system voltage of 480∆/277Y Volts which is one of
the common standard system voltage for industrial plants where, the
voltage ratings of the most motors and electrical equipment used are
480V.
BSP – SPC ELECTRIC UTILITY
BSP – SPC ELECTRIC UTILITY
Power Feeder Capacity
 Higher Line Voltage gives higher power circuit capacity for
feeders.
Circuit De-rated 240VAC 277V
Capacity Value
20 A 16 A 11,520W 13,296W
30 A 24 A 17,280W 19,944W
50 A 40 A 28,800W 33,240W
60 A 48 A 34,560W 39,888W

 240Vac: (phase to phase) 240V x 16A x 3 = 11,520W

 277Vac: (phase to neutral) 277V x 16A x 3 = 13,296W
 Case 1: 277V, 20A (16A Utilization)
13,296W / (18W per led light
fixture)
= approx. 738 led light fixtures*

Case 2: 240V, 20A (16A Utilization)

11,520W / (18W per led light
fixture)
= approx. 576 led light fixtures*
This allows more lights to be connected to a
single
*ideal 20A
values277Vac compared to 20A 240Vac.
with no losses
Lighting Supply
Lighting
No Characterist
. ics VOLTAGES
    277VOLTS 240VOLTS
Power
1 Low Medium to High
Consumption
Customized - At Least 30 - 45
2 Availability Available in Market
Days Delivery
3 Maintenance Low Low
OEM - Original Equipment Original Brand ( eg,.
4 Brand
Manufacturer GE, Philips etc.)
Lighting Supply
Lighting
No Characterist
. ics VOLTAGES
    277VOLTS 240VOLTS
Average Price
5 PhP1500 PhP 1200
in Market
Store Warranty of 1
6 Warranty Negotiable up to 5 Years
Year
Cheaper and less space requirement
 Omission of Step Down
Transformer will have
savings on the operating
expenses of transformer.
Periodic maintenance is
needed for the
transformers to ensure
reliability of power
supply. Adding that if one
 Space requirements must also be considered in
of the transformers
existing system.
failed, all feeder lines
connected to it will fail to
operate as well. The
duration to procure such
replacement will also
must be taken to
consideration.
Cost Implication
converting 240V
from 277V
 Tabulation of
Materials/Equipment for
Renovation
PANELBOARDS
Quantity Estimated
Building Total Price
(Sets) Ave.Unit Price
       
Bldg. A 22 PHP 65,500.00 PHP 1,441,000.00
       
Bldg. B 16 PHP 65,500.00 PHP 1,048,000.00
       
Bldg. C 8 PHP 65,500.00 PHP 524,000.00
TOTAL AMOUNT PHP 3,013,000.00

TRANSFORMERS
Quantity Estimated
Building Total Price
(Sets) Ave.Unit Price
       
Bldg. A 22 PHP 90,000.00 PHP 1,980,000.00
       
Bldg. B 16 PHP 90,000.00 PHP 1,440,000.00
       
Bldg. C 8 PHP 90,000.00 PHP 720,000.00
TOTAL AMOUNT PHP 4,140,000.00
 277Volts Vs.
240Volts
COST OF RENOVATION FROM 277V TO 240V
ITEMS Amount
   
Material Cost
(Transformers and 
Panelboards) PHP 7,153,000.00 
Re-Wiring Cost
(Wires and Conduits and other 
Miscellaneous Materials) PHP 1,430,600.00 
Labor Cost PHP 2,575,080.00 
OCM Profit Vat PHP 2,317,572.00 
   
TOTAL COST PHP 13,476,252.00 

APPROXIMATELY PHP 13,500,000.00

Cost of retaining 277V
MONTHLY OPERATION COST
277VOLTS 240 VOLTS
     
Total Power including  83100 96000
Transformer Losses (Watts)
Average Hours of use per  12 12
Day (Hrs.)
Average Working Days in a  20 20
Month (Days)
Total kW-Hr/Month 19944 23040
Amount per kW-Hr PHP 9.50 PHP 9.50
Total Electrical Monthly Bill  PHP 189,468.00 PHP 218,880.00
Amount
TOTAL YEARLY BILL AMOUNT PHP 2,273,616.00 PHP 2,626,560.00
Difference -PHP 352,944.00 PHP 352,944.00
Recommendation

Therefore, using the existing 277 Volts for lighting

is more efficient in terms of operation and
maintenance costs. There is no need for new
transformers which later could be a problem during
operation. The only problem is the sourcing of
supply and stock of LED tubes. 277Volts tube is a
customized type of light bulbs compared to
240Volts tube which is available commercially.