is it possible to have a 3 phase supply installed to a domestic property in the UK?

Question

i hope to put a small workshop in my back garden. Maybe for a lathe/miller and possible a few other devices.
the 3phase supply required could be ran in a trench from the front of my property directly down my drive to the garage.
it wouldn't even have to enter the house so removing the possibility of having 415 volts inside the house.
if this is allowed, how much do you think it might cost ( i figure "a lot", but numbers would be helpful here)

Answer 1

yes you could get 3 phase in domestic supply, whether you can still I dont know.

the only route to find out is going to be contacts the distribution company and find out if they will supply 3 phase, and if so what it would cost, otherwise its just guesswork.

Answer 2

Yes it is possible to get a 3 phase supply installed into a domestic residence. Some very large houses have to have these installed when they are built.

You have 2 choices. You can get a completely new supply installed into your workshop or you could have your existing supply changed to a 3 phase supply. Either way it will probably count as a new supply.

All your electric installation will need to be installed and certified before the new supply can be fitted.

If you "up grade" your existing supply this will mean that you will have to have a new consumer unit / distribution board which is suitable for 3 phase and your existing circuits will have to be balanced across the phases so that the load is roughly equal on each phase.

You will need to get in touch with the electricity distribution company to arrange the new supply. This is central networks in the midlands and will have to liaise with your electricity supplier as well.

I cant tell you how much it will cost because there are many factors that affect the supply. But I can tell you that to have one installed in a small office in Birmingham about a year ago when an extension meant having a 3 phase supply installed cost £1600.00 and the cable was only 3m long.

Answer 3

If the three phase supply didn't enter the house it would be classed as a new supply to the workshop. it would require a separate meter as well to record the usage. also a new cable would most probably need to be run from the nearest step down transformer to your property. this would cost a lot of money the work to install the new meter is around the 100-150 pounds mark and the work for the cables would really rack up as I've seen simple meter moves about four foot costing 500 pounds. it probably is not worth the cost just for a private workshop.

Answer 4

Your local distribution system is probably 3 phase with phases balanced between connected premises so that all phases are equally loaded.
If you live out in the sticks or on a farm you might be fed by a long single phase cable, so would require a suitably sized single to three phase converter. Check with your supplier to get costs and scope of work.

Answer 5

Yes it is possible, shouldnt cost all that much either. Sorry not sure on the exact cost but it wouldnt be a huge amount.

All power supplys are the same running through the national grid the only difference between domestic (single phase) and industrial (3 Phase) is the way it is distributed at the main board.

Answer 6

My neighbour had a small factory in his back garden in which he ran two lathes and a milling machine. There was no problem with the electricity board (as it was then, EMEB) but permission from the council was a nightmare.
A lot of shops run a 415v supply because of the power demands so if you're near a high street it might be easier.
Can't help with cost but you might want to consider putting a capacitive load in to balance up your true power, otherwise your bills may be higher than needs be.

Answer 7

unless you already have the equipment you want to use it would be easier and a whole lot cheaper to buy single phase equipment. 3 phase equipment is generally not needed by a hobbyist. Start off by calling your local electrician and get a quote for the upgraded supply. Then have a look at the machines you want to use. Get prices on single and 3 phase machines and do a comparison. You could probably buy at least one single phase machine for what it would cost to go 3 phase. You really need to look at whether or not you REALLY need to have 3 phase. Some commercial workshops I have serviced run single phase machines only.

Answer 8

What you need to run the 3 phase motor on the tool in your shop is a three phase motor drive that will run off a single phase supply.
They are available from several manufacturers and are not expensive also they would give you a good speed control thrown in for free, check the sites below you will be pleased with the low cost of these units.

Answer 9

The best way is to ask your local electricity supplier for a budget estimate although I doubt that they would give you a 3 phase supply.
The alternatives are
1) Fit single phase motors to the machines
2) Fit speed controllers, these can be bought that take in single phase and put out a pseudo 3 phase. They cost about £200 for a 1.1kW drive.

Answer 10

A a navy electrician, i am more comfortable working with 3 phase than single phase.

I know that converters from single to three are available but nothing else about them, except that they are supposed to be quite inefficient.

Would a generator not be an easier proposition for your 3 phase equipment?

Answer 11

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