have an issue with obtaining 380 volts please help!!!

we have a new laser cutter on its way to our factory and unlike all of our other machines, this one is a high powered fiber laser that requires 380 volts...I was told by the company that I need a 220v to 380v step up transformer in order to get this machine working but im sort of at loss as to where to start.. i had a local electrician here yesterday to quote running a new line for the machine and installing the 220 to 380 step up transformer and I just received a very high quote, much higher than I imagined it would be...the invoice shows just the cost of the transformer alone is $4500 bucks....am I missing something or is this a realistic price ? ..the machine requires 380volts 3 phase @ 26A is there a cheaper way to achieve this?? we have standard 220

That's about right. Step up transformers that size are expensive. Another gotcha on a lot of European 380v stuff is they require a neutral leg, and we don't have neutrals on 3 phase in the US, so a special order transformer may be required if your sticking to code depending on your situation.

Sent from my A3-A20FHD using Tapatalk

I would check to see if there is anything on the machine that is actually 380v?
Do you mean you have 3ph 220v? If so where are you located.
If the machine is catering to a certain standard, it may be dropping everything after the 380v enters the enclosure to something less, 220/240 etc.
May be worth checking, do you have the prints for the machine?
Al.

I'd get some more qoutes, the price on that transformer seems quite high for that transformer. You should get a full isolation transformer, would be better for the machine.

Why did you order a 380v machine if you don't have 380v power? Don't fiber lasers come any other way?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by underthetire

That's about right. Step up transformers that size are expensive. Another gotcha on a lot of European 380v stuff is they require a neutral leg, and we don't have neutrals on 3 phase in the US, so a special order transformer may be required if your sticking to code depending on your situation.

---

European 3 phase 400V (not anymore 380V) is "5 legs" 3 phase + neutral N + Safety (protection earth) PE.

No, This machine is 700 watts and because of this, we were told that 380volts is necessary and could not be built any other way...perhaps with some of the lower wattage fiber marking machines, 220 is possible but with 700 watts i was told that there was no other option because the machines power requires more voltage...jxdubber, can you please elaborate on an "isolation" tranformer or where i could get one? the problem is that i am not sure what kind of transformer i need so i cant search online for a cheaper option...id really appreciate some help if anyone more informed than myself is feeling generous :)

1.You do not need any isolation transformer.
2. Your machine can`t be 700W. Any Electric Kettle has 1500-2000W. Propably your laser has 700W output power.

No you don't "need" an isolation transformer, however on cnc equipment it is desirable as your input voltage will be a lot cleaner. Your problem is that in north america 380v transformers are hard to come by, where abouts in this great continent are you located?

MAT - Three Phase Auto Wound | Marcus Transformers

these are auto transformers which are the cheapest you can get, and not isolation. select your input voltage as 230V and output as 380 and set kva to 30 and request a quoute!

of course I was talking about 700 watt output, we are in a laser cutter forum are we not?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cinematic2

1.You do not need any isolation transformer.
2. Your machine can`t be 700W. Any Electric Kettle has 1500-2000W. Propably your laser has 700W output power.

---

You are not on the same page,A 700w laser needs a large power source