Types of electrical supply and applications

Machinery and other equipment that use electricity must be connected to the correct supply outlet. If this is not done, the machinery or equipment might:

• not operate correctly
• become dangerous
• be damaged

Electrical supplies and outlets can be:

• 415 volts, 220/240 volts, 110 volts or low voltage (for example 32 volts)
• Single phase or three phase
• Alternating current (AC) or Direct Current (DC).

The table below shows the type of supply and gives examples of machinery or equipment that would be connected to the supply.

Recognition of power supply
Most equipment will be marked or labelled with the required supply voltage, and whether it is AC or DC current.

This information will also be found in the maintenance manuals and instruction manuals supplied with the equipment.

You should check with your qualified electrician or electricity supplier to confirm the exact nature of the electricity outlets.

Power outlets can be different from country to country and with the age of the equipment or building. For this reason you should check your local conditions with a qualified person however, the following are examples of outlets commonly found.

Colour code for earthed systems
Neutral – blue lead
Live – brown lead
Earth – green and yellow lead.