How much did you guys spend to fix that?
I got a quotation of almost 3k just to fix that.
Need to wait 3 weeks for TNB approval.
Wondering if it's overpriced.

Factories been installing them for the cost of approx 10k, but I don't think houses would need those big DB.

Heard from rumours that somebody installed theirs for only 600 bucks! Now that got me worried...

Anyone has experience in this?

RM3k is about right for a normal terrace. I think the fusebox needs to be upgraded, some new wiring done, more deposit for TNB etc.

FYI, I spent some RM9k for my house for 3 phase power after renovations/extensions. That sum includes new power points, lighting points etc.

That's about right.
What a relief.
I thought I've been conned.

Anyway, I got quotation of 100 bucks each for each 13A point, wondering if it's right? Figuring I paid 100 bucks for a 13A point in an exhibition hall for 3 days, that's not so expensive right?

I paid RM80 per point. But, I needed a lot coz I practically doubled the size of my home after the renovations. Plus, the contractor was someone that was referred to by a trusted family friend.

I really doubt that you've been conned, since that is a pretty standard rate to pay. Forgot to mention that you will also need to upgrade the earthing, which costs some money.

In any case, you'll want a good contractor that will get the approval of TNB when they come to check before installing the new meter. Remember that with 3 phase power you will be able to switch on like 4 air-conds, the oven, 2 fridges, water heater etc at the same time. So, you want good quality instead of having things blow up on you.

Thanks for the info..

60A 3 phase.. wondering if it's sufficient.
Just 6 air-conds..

Heard that it's better to double up all power points now, instead of putting extension later, as extension would put the load up a single point, the single point might blow up?

Hmm... I've connected like.. 4 PCs to a single point before, and so far it's running fine.

Are those rumours? Or proven facts..

Or else I need to fork out a few K's just to fix those power points.

Hmm ... Better to install additional points now rather than having to hack your walls again later, I would say. Before the 3 phase upgrade, I had 1 point connected to air-cond, wall socket, and heater. Of course, this caused some tripping, and I only noticed it when the contractor used this gadget to check where the wiring was.

Not sure whether it's wise to switch 6 air-conds on at the same time with a 60A, but I have a neighbour that has at least 4 air-conds on 24/7 without any problems. Air-cond, kettle, heater etc consumes MUCH more power than 4 PCs, bro! E.g. is that a kettle uses something like 1500W on a 13A socket.

If you're adding more points, I would think you'll be spending in the region of RM4-5k for this upgrade.

Hmm, I am worried about the 60A whether it can stand 6 air-cond simultaneously or not.

But most probably it won't be on simultaneously unless I'm holding a grand party though.

How much is the deposit that we have to pay to TNB? Anyone knows? Is it a few K's?

If I can recall correctly, my initial power supply was obviously single phase. But, I upgraded the box to 30A, and the electrician said this was good for 2 air-conds and heater to be used simultaneously. I think 6 air-conds would be max for 60A, and you would have to be careful not to use things like the kettle, oven etc that draw a lot of juice.

However, do you really think you'll be using ALL 6 air-conds at one time? If not, then you should be more than safe with 60A. I think my current rating is 60A, and I have 5 air-conds. But, I've not yet seen the day when I switch on all 5 at one go.

The deposit to TNB should be around RM500.

Just curious, when you guys talk about the 'box', is it the 3 phase converter with built in switch and fuses?

This post has been edited by sellihcA2005: May 17 2007, 10:18 AM

Yes, by the 'box', I meant the fuse box. The other thing that will be changed is the meter (the one outside the house), which will be done by TNB. Only after the meter has been changed will you get 3-phase power.

Hi laksamana, thanks for the quick reply. I wonder is the converter at the fuse box or the TNB meter. According to 'Electricity Supply Application Handbook' provided by Tenaga, they offer quite a few options.. look at the screenshot below :-



Which option did you guys choose?

*Offtopic abit - btw has any of you used Tenaga E-services? Especially, submitting your meter reading online?

This post has been edited by sellihcA2005: May 17 2007, 10:54 AM

Can't see your image properly, but I think the 3-phase power itself comes from the new meter that TNB will provide.

If I recall properly, the new meter will be connected to an additional cable from the main 33kv power line. I'm not an electrician, but I think my old 1-phase meter had 3 cables connected, and a 3-phase has 4 cables.

---

Added on May 17, 2007, 11:15 amOk, I see your image now.

My power supply is definitely the Low Voltage option II.

I was told that option III is for big bungalows with >5k sq feet of space, 10 air-conds, 2 kitchens, 6 heaters (not the instant shower kind) and above.

Maybe if you were running a Pentagon mainframe in your house you might need that kind of power! LOL

This post has been edited by laksamana: May 17 2007, 11:15 AM

Now I understand, thanks for the info. Is there a charge for changing the meter/connecting additional cable, other than increase in deposit?

You'll have to pay for a new and bigger fuse box, that's for sure.

I mean, the reason why you'll need 3-phase is so that you can simultaneously use more electrical devices. That means that you'll probably want more power outlets inside/outside the house, which will cost you more money (paid to the wiring fella).

If you only need to use say 2 air-conds at a time, the best bet will be to upgrade your fuse box, which will be a few hundred RMs instead of going 3-phase.

TNB doesn't do any wiring in the house, so you have to deal with a wireman for that. I think charges depend on your exact requirements.

Referring to TNB's side I guess it's just increase in deposit. About internal wiring, I can see that will burn another hole in my pocket

DB box cost 1k already.
The rest is like deposit to TNB, wiring, and workmanship.

Thanks alot

Btw, any of you submitted your meter-reading online before?

Got another new guy to quote the price.

He opened up the DB box, there, already 3 phase, there's no need to change anything.

Gee, I'm so confused now.

Can anyone post their 3 phase DB box picture?

3 phase boxes should have 4 wires, Yellow, Red, Blue and Black. 3 of them are for each phase and 1 is for ground.

To know how much power you'll be using by so many airconditioners, add up the compressor power for each. 1 horsepower is about 736 watts, so if you have 6 air conditioners running at 1hp it should be 763x6 = 4.4kw. Remember that you should be able to tell the difference between watts and VA, watts is a measure of work done, VA is a measure of supply, since compressors are laggy devices, (PF is shit), let's assume 0.7 theta for that 4.4kw.

Now with theta being 0.7 and the work done being 4.4kw, that should mean your total draw is around 5028 watts. 0.7 is a measure of PF lag, meaning that 4.4 is only 70 percent of your real VA draw, so add in the missing 30 percent and you'll get a real draw figure.

Hope that helped.

This post has been edited by empire23: May 19 2007, 04:47 PM

oh nice save you 1k already, lucky you got another to check.

Well, all I can see is, there are 3 fuse or something like that..
And it has three rows of those jumper-like switch..

I see no wires.. maybe it's concealed beneath the wall or something.

I don't know. I want to be SURE. I want no hassle if all the air-conds are switched on at the same time.

Should be correct since only the 3 phases carry fuses and not the ground.

Ooops, I made a mistake.

It has 3 of this thing:-
[attachmentid=234391]
Each on a row..

So is it 3 phase?

mmm I wonder, is it compulsory to use three poles circuit breakers on 3 phase?

kons: from the picture, looks like it's a 2 pole circuit breaker...

That's the circuit breaker lah, my house has atleast 60 in panel. You'll have to check your meter and the wires going in and the distribution mechanism

Bro, can elaborate more abit, how to check whether it's 3 phase?

What about the wires going into the Distribution Box? Does it give a hint if it's 3 phase or not?

Confusing. I'll take pic when I'm free. Oh well.

3 phase systems should have 3 wires going into the meter, one for each phase, coloured red, blue and yellow.

kons: ya take a photo

Aha ok thanks. So I'm guessing we got to add a new wire from the meter to distribution box for it to work?

that's a single phase RCCB...residual current circuit breakers. they work like an ELCB and cut off the power when there is electricity leakage. 3-phase RCCB's exist, wonder why your electrician decided to give u 3 units of single phase.

The one that the empire23 has are MCB's minature circuit breakers. They will cut the power when there is an overload. They are like a replacement for fuses.

To figure out whether you're on single phase or 3 phases, look at the TNB meter. Single phase got 2 wires going in, 2 wires out. Three phase has 4 wires in, 4 wires out.