1 Answer
**208 volts** is a specific voltage level used mainly in **three-phase electrical systems**, especially in commercial or industrial buildings. It's not a random number—it comes from how the three-phase power is generated and connected.
### Here's a simple explanation:
* In a **three-phase power system**, you have three wires (phases) carrying electricity.
* If each phase has **120 volts to neutral** (like in many U.S. systems), the voltage **between any two of those phases** is not 120V + 120V — it’s actually **208 volts**.
* This is due to the **mathematical relationship** between the phases, which are 120 degrees apart in time.
The formula used is:
$$
\text{Line-to-Line Voltage} = \text{Line-to-Neutral Voltage} \times \sqrt{3}
$$
$$
208V \approx 120V \times 1.732
$$
---
### Where is 208V used?
* In commercial buildings (like offices, malls, and schools) that use **three-phase 120/208V systems**.
* It powers **three-phase motors**, **HVAC systems**, **kitchen equipment**, and sometimes **large servers or data centers**.
Would you like a diagram to help visualize how this works?
### Here's a simple explanation:
* In a **three-phase power system**, you have three wires (phases) carrying electricity.
* If each phase has **120 volts to neutral** (like in many U.S. systems), the voltage **between any two of those phases** is not 120V + 120V — it’s actually **208 volts**.
* This is due to the **mathematical relationship** between the phases, which are 120 degrees apart in time.
The formula used is:
$$
\text{Line-to-Line Voltage} = \text{Line-to-Neutral Voltage} \times \sqrt{3}
$$
$$
208V \approx 120V \times 1.732
$$
---
### Where is 208V used?
* In commercial buildings (like offices, malls, and schools) that use **three-phase 120/208V systems**.
* It powers **three-phase motors**, **HVAC systems**, **kitchen equipment**, and sometimes **large servers or data centers**.
Would you like a diagram to help visualize how this works?