Get rid of my 3 phase power???

[DetroitDIESEL444]

Greetings,
I bought my house 2 years ago, and it came with 200 amp single phase service and 220V 3 phase service . It cost me 25 dollars a month to maintain service, so i shut the 3 phase off.

The power company wants to remove the meter now, since it has been off for over a year. I don't see in the immediate future a use for it, and to get it back would cost 150 and a permit from the city.

With that said, I am no machinist, the only things I ever see in the future would be a air compressor and maybe a welder. should I just plan on using single phase for these things? I don't know if its worth the extra cost to use 3 phase stuff (which ive found the used up front cost is way less)

What are your recommendations??

 

[Iroc-Z]

You will find all of people including my self that wish they could have 3 phase. But it doesn't sound like it will be of any use to you.

 

[jerkyboy]

Greetings,
I bought my house 2 years ago, and it came with 200 amp single phase service and 220V 3 phase service . It cost me 25 dollars a month to maintain service, so i shut the 3 phase off.

The power company wants to remove the meter now, since it has been off for over a year. I don't see in the immediate future a use for it, and to get it back would cost 150 and a permit from the city.

With that said, I am no machinist, the only things I ever see in the future would be a air compressor and maybe a welder. should I just plan on using single phase for these things? I don't know if its worth the extra cost to use 3 phase stuff (which ive found the used up front cost is way less)

What are your recommendations??

I'd dump it, your 200 amp service is plenty for your needs. Just curious, why was your house set up with 3 phase?

 

[bobadame]

This deserves a hearty YOU ****. I suppose if you don't use it though it makes no sense to pay for it.

 

[Kevin54]

Man, some people have it and don't need it and others need it and don't have it.

If you don't have a need for it, and they want to pull the meter, you could probably hook it back up at a later date if need be unless the wires were pulled also. If you never plan on getting a mill or a lathe, then I would say have them pull the meter and save yourself $300/yr. If you get an air compressor, chance are that it will be 220 single phase anyways. Like I said though, if all they want to do is pull the meter for it, then go for it. If you ever decide to move, it could be a selling point to a car guy to have it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

At $25 a month, it'll cost you 300 a year just to maintain it. If you had it reconnected right now, you'd still be ahead 150 dollars. I'd say leave it disconnected till you actually need 3 phase.

 

[Terry454]

I would think that "permit from the city" to reconnect would be a big stumbling block to reconnection. A lot of municipalities don't like the chance of commercial activities = 3-ph power, going on in residential neighborhoods.

It might depend on your economic situation. If the $300 a year will make a difference to your budget pull the plug. If it won't effect your lifestyle, I would keep it. Choice is yours though.

I too am curious as to what went on there that you have 3-ph power.
Terry

 

[930dreamer]

I've found some dirt cheap three phase equipment which is built 10x better than newer pieces, and you have the Power! .99 cents for the avatar compressor.

 

[kbkna]

My buddy had the same situation.. Had the 3 phase to his welding shop but sold it to go work for a big company. Has kept the power and used it to supply air conditioner for his house. He claims he is saving money and has better equipment. I would love to have 3 phase!

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

Ok. I am not paying any maintenance on the 3 phase with the service turned off, I don't know why the power company wants the meter back.

Previous owner had a machine shop with a bridgeport and some lathes. He also had a full blown photo development lab with enlargers and stuff. All the machine shop stuff was gone before I got the house, but all the photography stuff was, which all went to scrap.

 

[zuk123]

I don't know where the OP is located, but many older neighborhoods in Houston have 3 phase. It was needed when they first started putting in air conditioning.

I'd love to have it. I don't even have it at my shop in a commercial area. 3 cheap phase converters = $300 though, so economically, even if you were buying 3 phase tools, it might not make sense.

To anyone who passed up a cheap old 3 phase tool, next time buy it! VFD's or static phase converters are not much money and you will likely get a better, stronger tool for less money. (but if you are in the Houston area, buying at auction, don't. I don't want the competition! )

zuk

 

[EOC_Jason]

Doesn't sound like you have a need for it, and unless you plan on replacing existing equipment (i.e. a three phase air compressor, three phase air conditioner, etc, etc) then it's probably not worth it to you.

 

[LutzTD]

At $25 a month, it'll cost you 300 a year just to maintain it. If you had it reconnected right now, you'd still be ahead 150 dollars. I'd say leave it disconnected till you actually need 3 phase.

yep, if you have no current plans I second this, wish I had this problem they wanted 8G's to install it at my place.

 

[Richard D]

Wow, we just finished installing a converter to run my 3 phase milling machine yesterday. Need another fo my drill press and big compressor. Keep it, you'll definitely need it if you get rid of it. Put the meter in your garage so they can't come take it when you are gone.

 

[Terry454]

Ok. I am not paying any maintenance on the 3 phase with the service turned off, I don't know why the power company wants the meter back.

Previous owner had a machine shop with a bridgeport and some lathes. He also had a full blown photo development lab with enlargers and stuff. All the machine shop stuff was gone before I got the house, but all the photography stuff was, which all went to scrap.

They want it back because so long as it is installed at your place they have to read it every month. Even though the meter reader is there for your single phase meter it costs them money to read the extra meter and keep the account on their books. They are putting out money for no income. They are required to save money for their shareholders or other customers, depending on the kind of utility they are -- investor owned or municipal.

 

[bczygan]

Ask the power company if they just want the meter, or the whole service feed. If it is just the meter and they leave the meter box and feed, then it will be easy for future owners to get the service hooked back up. Probably not even a city permit needed, but rather, a hookup service fee to the utility. Great selling point and added value.

 

[DetroitDIESEL444]

OK,
I'm actually in Kuwait right now so i dont know the exact details, but I am most likely having the meter removed becuase the house is undergoing renovation and it will be at least 2 years before its time to "tool up" with 3 phase equipment

 

[fatboy99]

Ok. I am not paying any maintenance on the 3 phase with the service turned off, I don't know why the power company wants the meter back.

Previous owner had a machine shop with a bridgeport and some lathes. He also had a full blown photo development lab with enlargers and stuff. All the machine shop stuff was gone before I got the house, but all the photography stuff was, which all went to scrap.

The utility company has to pay taxes for every meter installed whether your using power or not. Not sure if they have to wait a year of no use before they can remove it. I work at a gas company and they remove meter's after a year of non use.

 

[Tscott]

The utility company has to pay taxes for every meter installed whether your using power or not. Not sure if they have to wait a year of no use before they can remove it. I work at a gas company and they remove meter's after a year of non use.

It's also difficult to detect problems with the service if its turned off (i.e. no one to call and tell you the powers out.). So if a service wire falls in a yard and is still hot, it can sit like that for ever if no one calls us so it's as much for safety as it is for saving money.

ZUK123 is correct as well, many older home have 3Ø simply because AC's back in the days needed it. Most of the homes around a lake in the north part of our service area have this as well. Although this may not be why the OP's house has it, it is not uncommon.

Tom

 

[not8player]

Why not Keep the 3 phase service and get rid of the singel phase service? Are the load centers near to each other?

 

[mrb]

Why not Keep the 3 phase service and get rid of the singel phase service? Are the load centers near to each other?

the 3ph is likely delta with no 120v.

I would maintain it if you think you might want it later. What would the cost be to turn it on and back off to reset the clock on the time its off? I could see them refusing to reconnect you 2 years from now...

 

[malibu101]

the 3ph is likely delta with no 120v.

I would maintain it if you think you might want it later. What would the cost be to turn it on and back off to reset the clock on the time its off? I could see them refusing to reconnect you 2 years from now...

Yeah, never underestimate what the distributing utility can do.
They make their own rules, within some PUC guidelines, that best suits their needs and profits.

You have it now and it's unlikely they can take it away.
But once you give it back, you're at their mercy.

But again, like some have said, unless you really see the need for 3 phase now or in the future why pay for it.
Only you know that answer.

 

[not8player]

the 3ph is likely delta with no 120v.

I would maintain it if you think you might want it later. What would the cost be to turn it on and back off to reset the clock on the time its off? I could see them refusing to reconnect you 2 years from now...

Didn't think of that most of the 3 phase system I have dealt with have been 3 phase, 4 wire Y, 120/208V.

 

[StaggeringGoat]

I've had 3 phase service at my shop for about 3 years now and I still don't use it for anything. Honestly I wish I could get 240v instead of 208v. And yeah, they wanted a huge deposit before they would turn it on.

 

[jonahbones]

lots of uses aside from the garage ! spa pump, all heat pumps - refrigeration or hvac. 3 phase is more efficient so although initial equipment cost may be higher running costs are lower.
I would be finding some good deals on commercial fridges freezers etc and put the 3 phase to good use

 

[03protege]

Can you pay for a few months and stop service so you get another year?

I know that is probably the most selfish option but if you think you need it in two years it may be the best.

 

[Bigdukaaa]

Don't know much about dealing with meters for electric. Growing up with my father running a commercial plumbing company I remembered that he would have to pay for water meters. My thought process says if I pay for it or the previous owner paid for it then its mine right. Why would they take it, to resell.

 

[Terry454]

Don't know much about dealing with meters for electric. Growing up with my father running a commercial plumbing company I remembered that he would have to pay for water meters. My thought process says if I pay for it or the previous owner paid for it then its mine right. Why would they take it, to resell.

Electric meters almost always belong to the poser company. The consumer pays for the service, delivery, and power used -- but the meter itself belongs to the utility.

Where I live the water meter also belongs to the municipality. We have a municipal water system. I believe the gas meter belongs to the gas company as well.
Terry

 

[jonahbones]

lol oops always forget you blokes work from a base of 120v....
here 3phase is good because it is 415volts