208 volt element

I am trying to find the highest powered affordable immersion elements I can (non-industrial, I want to use 1"npt). So far I have found 6kw elements by Rheem which are made with resistored stainless steel. Thing is, they come in 208 volt, 220 volt, and 240 volt models.

What I'm wondering is:
If I used the 208 volt model, would 240 burn it out? I'm hoping if the element can handle it, my 240 (or whatever it comes out as) will push an extra 500 watt or so out of it.

This will be for a 1 bbl system in 55 gallon vessels. There would be 2 elements in BK, and 2 elements in a RIMS tube for an instant hot water source.

Thanks!

What's your line voltage read at your house? Mine comes in at 125V at every outlet I've tested both in the house and in my detached garage. I would check your voltage and order based on what readings you get.

EuBrew said:

What's your line voltage read at your house? Mine comes in at 125V at every outlet I've tested both in the house and in my detached garage. I would check your voltage and order based on what readings you get.

Click to expand...

It's going to be way over 208. I know mine is 242 at the plug.

Use the element rated for your line voltage... Seriously. Ever seen an element burn up? It's not pretty. (Post 16)

I'm going to guess you don't have 3-phase in your brew space, so 208 is out.

Standard household service is single-phase 240. So you want an element rated for 240 volts. If you have a 50 amp service available, you'll be living on the edge if you try to get 12000 watts. 60 amps will get you 14400 watts. Of course that's the maximum based solely on the math. Trying to get 12kw out of a 50 amp circuit is not likely to end with anything but nuisance tripping of the breaker.

The real question is how much power do you have available in your brew space? From that you can figure out the maximum wattage you can support on your system.

It won't do a bit of good to have 15kw of elements in your BK if your service can only feed 12kw...

I use a 11kw+ system at home, but I gave it a new 100amp service and a 60 amp gfci.

This isn't for my house, and I'll definitely be installing new single phase panel(s) for it. I do not yet know what voltage will be showing. Many 30 amp gfci's will be installed, one for each element (unless I go 6000+ watts.. then I'll need 40's). I'll have to start with at least a new 200amp service. Just wondering if 208-240 is close enough for an element to function.. kind of like overdriving a cpu I guess I'm saying?

The website I'm looking at has 208, 240, 277, 480. I can't test the voltage at my location right now as there's no 240 outlets installed. Guess I should figure that out first.

Budzu said:

I use a 11kw+ system at home, but I gave it a new 100amp service and a 60 amp gfci.

This isn't for my house, and I'll definitely be installing new single phase panel(s) for it. I do not yet know what voltage will be showing. Many 30 amp gfci's will be installed, one for each element (unless I go 6000+ watts.. then I'll need 40's). I'll have to start with at least a new 200amp service. Just wondering if 208-240 is close enough for an element to function.. kind of like overdriving a cpu I guess I'm saying?

The website I'm looking at has 208, 240, 277, 480. I can't test the voltage at my location right now as there's no 240 outlets installed. Guess I should figure that out first.

Click to expand...

Ahh Cool!
Sounds like a fun project!

Look in the panel when you get there. A lot of businesses will have both 3-phase (For the lights, HVAC, machines, etc) and single phase - VIA a big transformer somewhere in the building. That feeds the wall receptacles, and anything else "Consumer" that wants to see 110.

Both will be in different panels, and labeled.

Regardless, use elements rated for your line voltage. If nothing else, your insurance company won't have an excuse to not pay up if something other than the brew rig starts a fire...

If you don't know what you're going into, just get the 240's.

Scenario 1:
Location has 2phase. Voltage between the two lines is 240. Element runs at (theoretical) 100%.

Scenario 2:
Location has 3phase. Voltage between two lines is 208. Element runs at (theoretical) 87%. (208/240) Depending on how much it's used, that extra little 13% will only equal a bit more time on heating.

B

+1 to bad coffee

In addition, I would highly recommend a trip to HD and the purchase of a quality multimeter. If you are going full barrel, and I assume commercial, you will certainly need to troubleshoot lots of system vagaries over time. A multimeter will be your new best friend. Also, with a multimeter, you can go to the main panel and test what the incoming voltage is.

If you are not an electrical type, hire an electrician. He / she will happily perform the same test.

Cheers to your project!

Do you want to risk a batch if the element ruptures while brewing?

There are 2 panels in this building, side by side. They are both 200 amp, and they are both 4 pole on the main breaker. Is that 3 phase?
There's gas available, but I have come to love electric brewing :rockin:

I believe you need to find out what power you have available in the facility. Sometimes it is delivered as 208V 3 phase (transformer secondary "Y" connected) and it can also be delivered as 240V 3 phase (transformer secondary "Delta" connected). Both can be set up to provide 120V as well so that will not be a factor in indicating what is available for you.

You really need to know before investing in your mission.

IMHO

Most of the elements for 240 volt water heaters also have the watt rating for 208 volts. So it should be safe to use either way for brewing.

Budzu said:

I am trying to find the highest powered affordable immersion elements I can (non-industrial, I want to use 1"npt). So far I have found 6kw elements by Rheem which are made with resistored stainless steel. Thing is, they come in 208 volt, 220 volt, and 240 volt models.

What I'm wondering is:
If I used the 208 volt model, would 240 burn it out? I'm hoping if the element can handle it, my 240 (or whatever it comes out as) will push an extra 500 watt or so out of it.

Thanks!

Click to expand...

The maximum recommended operating temp for Stainless 300 sheath material
is 1200° F (UL 1030). As long the element is in liquid and the maximum recommended watt density for wort is not exceeded the element should be fine.
What is the watt density of your 6kW element?

You will get more than 500 watt using a 208 V, 6kW element on 240V.
You will get an extra 1.98 kW.


Cheers,
ClaudiusB

I've met with our electrician today, it is not 3-phase power. We're now trying to decide between running several 30a breakers or running a new panel with one big friggin GFI (120-150a).
This is going to be interesting when I step it up to 2 bbl's next year...

Claudius I believe the elements are LWD, so maybe 40-50w/sq"..

Budzu said:

Claudius I believe the elements are LWD, so maybe 40-50w/sq"..

Click to expand...

The element will work based on 212° F liquid temp as per my data table.

Cheers,
ClaudiusB