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Got Questions Get Answers => Troubleshooting 101 => Topic started by: Charlie22 on August 21, 2015, 04:11:AM

Title: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: Charlie22 on August 21, 2015, 04:11:AM
Hello,
We recently had a used equipment vendor in our facility and he asked if our incoming voltage was configured for Delta or Y. I was stumped, but after he left I went for a walk.

I'm very curious. Without walking out to the transformers at the rear of the property, would there be a way to test for Delta or Y with a multimeter?

Title: Re: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: kpatterson on August 22, 2015, 04:03:AM
You've got me curious... Is there a simple Delta or Y test using a multimeter?
Title: Re: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: dv1976 on September 04, 2015, 04:24:AM
Well, go back to basics and I think you can test for Y or Delta voltage fairly easily using a multimeter.

In the Y configuration, sources and loads always have line voltage higher than the phase voltage, and line current will always equal the phase current.

Using a multimeter, check for AC voltage between any two of the three phase lines and note your findings (240V,480V, etc) Now make the same voltage test from any one line to ground or the neutral conductor if you have one. If the voltage is considerably lower than your initial test, then it is a Y configuration. it's that simple.

Hope that helps you out...
Title: Re: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: travis on February 05, 2017, 06:26:AM
Quote from: dv1976 on September 04, 2015, 04:24:AM
Well, go back to basics and I think you can test for Y or Delta voltage fairly easily using a multimeter.

In the Y configuration, sources and loads always have line voltage higher than the phase voltage, and line current will always equal the phase current.

Using a multimeter, check for AC voltage between any two of the three phase lines and note your findings (240V,480V, etc) Now make the same voltage test from any one line to ground or the neutral conductor if you have one. If the voltage is considerably lower than your initial test, then it is a Y configuration. it's that simple.

Well said...
Title: Re: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: allentrop on March 04, 2017, 06:39:AM
Quote from: dv1976 on September 04, 2015, 04:24:AM
Using a multimeter, check for AC voltage between any two of the three phase lines and note your findings (240V,480V, etc) Now make the same voltage test from any one line to ground or the neutral conductor if you have one. If the voltage is considerably lower than your initial test, then it is a Y configuration.

That's good info, I actually never knew that I have worked with electricity for what seems like forever. Thanks for the simple Delta or Y Voltage Test!
Title: Re: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: pender78 on June 09, 2017, 04:05:AM
Thanks for the info guys, you answered a question about Y voltage that I never quite understood. My facility has Y voltage.
Title: Re: Delta or Y Voltage Test
Post by: brianc75 on March 29, 2024, 07:18:AM
Y Voltage configuration is quite common