Delta or Y Voltage Test

[Charlie22]

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?

[kpatterson]

You've got me curious... Is there a simple Delta or Y test using a multimeter?

[dv1976]

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...

[travis]

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...

[allentrop]

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!

[pender78]

Thanks for the info guys, you answered a question about Y voltage that I never quite understood. My facility has Y voltage.

[brianc75]

Y Voltage configuration is quite common