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  1. #1
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    scudman's Avatar
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    Single Phase or 3 Phase

    Went to the PEA today to apply for electricity. The wife went in alone to submit documents. Came back out to the car to ask how many amps we wanted. I told her 15/45 single phase. The official helping her said he thought we should have 3 phase. Wife called contractor and he said 3 phase also. Official said total to bring 3 phase (assuming 45/100) to the land plot (about 180 meters) would be 100,000 baht each for the 3 one rai plots. Wife owns 1 rai, friends own the other two. We were told that if all 3 applications were submitted at the same time it would be cheaper.

    Now the house is going to be nothing special.
    4 bedrooms ( 3 aircons)
    6 bathrooms (only 3 with instant heat)
    3 - 4 TVs
    Stereo
    Internet / Desktop computer
    Main fridge and 2 small style reefers
    CFL and LED lighting
    Drink cooler
    Various kitchen items: Toaster, Microwave, Blender
    Water pump
    NO workshop running saws, grinders, lathes or milling machines.
    NO Pool
    Small fish pond with submersible pump

    I know I should really calculate and add it all up while everything is on, but that is a little impractical as the configuration does not exist yet.

    Everything I have read on this forum and others says single phase is fine for a "normal" house and I understand that if I need to upgrade in the future I could change to a 45/100 meter.
    What am I missing? Do you agree that single phase 15/45 is fine?

  2. #2
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    Albert Shagnastier's Avatar
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    I think 3 phase works better with the national grid and gives you cheaper bills. I think EGAT are pushing everybody to use the same system but power-wise with your needs you certainly don't NEED it.

  3. #3
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    ye 3 phase is usually used for industrial tools, compressors etc.

  4. #4
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    Get the cheap one, TiT - everything will be ok...

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by scudman
    Went to the PEA today to apply for electricity.
    Where I live in Isaan the method of obtaining a electric meter is to apply at the electricity board who will send a man out to do an inspection. Upon his inspection he will tell you on the size of meter you need. You then pay a deposit for the meter that you've been told to have. The board then come fit the meter. Job done.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    If you have a swimming pool I would suggest three phase. But if you have no intentions 3 phase seems overkill.

  7. #7
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    3 phase???

    Maybe,for a change in Thailand,they are planning ahead. You will have single phase,and the other two plots will also have single phase. Each one of the three houses will get a different phase,making it cheaper in the long run. This is how it is done elsewhere.

  8. #8
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    I am clueless about electricity. However we were renovating a house in Khao Yai and we installed air con and all was fine until we installed a water pump for a fountain and it cutout every time we turned the pump on.

    I always fancied having a fountain and maybe a pool so I asked my electrician to install 3 phase.

    Some company snapped him up and he's gone to some far off land,

    I want to put the electricity on and I see poles around with meters attached.

    Where do you buy these meters and how much?

    Thanks in advance

  9. #9
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    Takeovers's Avatar
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    Does the pump really draw that much continuous power? They do draw a hefty current when switched on. A slow fuse may be all you need. One that can take the current for a second or two.

    3 phase is fine to have. But they will need to run a 4 or 5 wire cable for it.
    "don't attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by incompetence"

  10. #10
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    Sorry I think I have misled you.

    We had a problem a few years ago with a pump/fountain and they ran new cables to solve the problem,

    So because I am thinking I don't want any problems in the future I ask my electrician to install 3 phase which he did.

    I cant get a of him and I want a meter installed to have the power turned on

    What I am asking is which meter do I buy and from where?



    What I am aqsking is which meter do I buy and where do you get them

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanlic View Post
    What I am aqsking is which meter do I buy and where do you get them
    You buy your meter from PEA at the same time as you order 3 phase delivery from the net.
    PEA only accepts their own meters so you can't just buy one in the electric supply shop.

  12. #12
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    That's great Thanks

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tanlic View Post
    Sorry I think I have misled you.

    We had a problem a few years ago with a pump/fountain and they ran new cables to solve the problem,

    So because I am thinking I don't want any problems in the future I ask my electrician to install 3 phase which he did.

    I cant get a of him and I want a meter installed to have the power turned on

    What I am asking is which meter do I buy and from where?



    What I am aqsking is which meter do I buy and where do you get them
    So you already have wired for 3 phase but it is only connected to the PEA grid on single phase ? If you now want to get 3 phase you have to talk to your local PEA office who will supply the meter. You did talk to them before and make certain that you can actually get 3 phase, didn’t you ?

  14. #14
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    Klondyke's Avatar
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    Unless there are machines and/or a huge pump (over 2 kW) it is unusual to ask for a 3-phase incomer to a family house, even well equipped with appliances and a swimming pool.

  15. #15
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    I suggest again, just check the power needs of that pump first and if it is within the existing supply then the fuse very likely blows because of power surge on switching it on. Which can be solved by installing a slow fuse.

  16. #16
    last farang standing
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    Dont see why you would need 3 phase unless you have a lathe or something. I have an all electric house with elec hot water, induction stove range hood, 2 refrigerators 3 TVs 2 computers electric oven and aircon and 4 ceiling fans. Depends how far you are away from the transformer and who else is on that line.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hugh Cow View Post
    Dont see why you would need 3 phase unless you have a lathe or something.


    A lathe unless it is major equipment in a factory needs very little. But I live in Germany. In my world an electric stove needs 3 phases or its use is severely restricted. 3x16A 230V.

  18. #18
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    ^In "your world" it's also made with 1-phase as well, why not?

    Imagine the other world, where they still have not discovered 220V but staying with 110V (made by certain Mr. Edison in Menlo Park) - hence double Amperage - they can do it with 1-phase either.

    Mostly, they have no other choice, since the whole village hangs on a 1-phase transformer...

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Mostly, they have no other choice, since the whole village hangs on a 1-phase transformer...
    This..

    ...turn on a hot power shower and all the lights in the village dim...

  20. #20
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Unless there are machines and/or a huge pump (over 2 kW) it is unusual to ask for a 3-phase incomer to a family house, even well equipped with appliances and a swimming pool.
    Certainly is. I know if not one in my neck of the woods. Even the ostentatious mansions of the Thai elite are single phase.

    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    You buy your meter from PEA at the same time as you order 3 phase delivery from the net.
    PEA only accepts their own meters so you can't just buy one in the electric supply shop.
    Wot lom said.

    Re the pump problem, you do need a good electrician to check it out end to end. No way a fountain pump would draw enough to trip the circuit. Could be any number of things causing the prob. Everything from an underspec CB to a partial short in wiring or a malfunctioning pump.

    I have 3 pumps. One pumps water to house from water tank, one submersable pumping from grey water tank to irrigate garden and one that drives filter to a large turtle pond.

    With all running along with 3 air cons, 3 TVs, wifi, electric oven and every light on in house, the single phase feed is more than adequate to handle the draw.
    "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect,"

  21. #21
    last farang standing
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    I would be more concerned to make sure the circuits are adequately earthed and same with the appliances.

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