Anything special about converting VAX 11/780 to single phase?

From: Pat Finnegan <pat_at_purdueriots.com>
Date: Mon May 13 00:45:20 2002

On Sun, 12 May 2002, Gunther Schadow wrote:

> Hi Matt and all,
>

<snip>

>
> So, the following is what I plan for wiring up the 11/780:
>
>
> >> ---phase1----------+--- P1
> >>
> >> ---phase2----------+--- P2
> >> |
> >> +--- P3
> >>
> >> ---neutral------------- N
> >>
> >> ---ground-------------- GND
>

You will probably want to wire the 6000 you're gonna power off of the same
branch opposite - connect P1 and P3 to phase 1 and P2 to phase 2, to make
sure you balance everything as much as possible. Personally, I'd
recommend getting rid of the power distribution box and using a couple of
power strips instead - put P1 and half of P2 on one phase, and P3 and the
rest of P2 on the other phase. You'll want to have a current meter of
some sort to help balance things out - get a clamp on one, a cheap one is
worth it.

You can turn on the power strips in the proper order to simulate the old
power distribution box.

> While we are at it, is there a good standard way of splicing
> a branch from a wire without cutting the wire? This one is a
> #6 wire, a real hassle to mess with, and I don't have any
> spare length. So, I was hoping to find a T-piece connector
> to just interpose:
>
> ______________
> ================ ==================
> ~~~~+ || +~~~~
> | || |
> | || |
> ||
> ||
> ||
> ||
>

NOOOOOOO!!!!! Go spend another $10 and get a few extra feet of wire, a
small propane torch, some solder and a couple wire nuts. Cut and twist
all three wires, solder them together, and put the wire nut on, secure
with electical tape. If you want, you could skip the soldering part. But
dont, DONT use a T-splice on 120V/240V. It's OK on ground wires, but
that's all the stuff is meant for.

All I've gotta say is spend the extra couple dollars to do it right now.
The NEC was written by analyzing electrical fires. You don't really want
to have your home burn to the ground because you were trying to save a few
dollars.

-- PAt
Received on Mon May 13 2002 - 00:45:20 BST