3 phase leccy and other utilities questions

[voicey]

I'm very close to completing the purchase of my first commercial unit (I've never rented one either) and thoughts are turning to getting the business moving as quickly as possible. The unit has a three phase supply yet I have no idea what this means practically. All of my equipment is single phase and anything I will buy in the future could be supplied in single or three phase. I would be grateful if those with more experience could enlighten me on a few points...

Are there two meters (one for each supply)?

Is three phase more expensive than single phase?

Can I elect just to use single phase or do I have to pay for both?

Any tips when dealing with the electricity company when I get the keys?

Can I choose a different (cheaper) supplier like I can with a domestic supply?



Additionally, I'm going to need a single phone line and broadband. Any suggestions on a company to supply these are am I stuck with BT? The unit already has incoming supplies for both so I don't need to have a line physically installed.

Any tips on dealing with water companies? Water will only be used for washing hands/flushing the toilet and washing the odd car.

Thanks in advance....

[simonre7]

Put simply, Three phase is 3, single phase supplies. Each phase can be used individually or you use all three together for big machinery. Big loads go on three phase supplies as it splits the load equally over the phases which prevents hot spots on transformers.

You can chop and change supplier just as you would domestic supplies.

Phone line is open for you to choose too. I've not got any experience with who to use but would suggest going on a comparison website for all your utilities to see what deal you can get.

Best of luck!

[Sheetmaself]

If you only need a single phase supply get your metering company out to remove the three phase meter and fit a single phase meter. This will leave the three phases live should you ever need to upgrade will reduce cost as no need to disconnect and put in a new single phase service and will reduce standing charges. But you will need to ensure either all your kit is on the same phase or get an electrician in to get everything onto the same phase.

Also bear in mind nowadays a single phase supply will likely be fused at 80A and therefore allow for 15kVA. If your needs are above this you will likely need to keep the three phase.

[Big GT]

Are there two meters (one for each supply)? - Just 1 metre

Is three phase more expensive than single phase? Nope - You get billed on the kW and or kVA used. This is total power so doesn't matter if 3phase or 1 phase.

Can I elect just to use single phase or do I have to pay for both? - Doesn't matter as above. *

Any tips when dealing with the electricity company when I get the keys? -Check the standing charges, it maybe less to go on 1 phase.

Can I choose a different (cheaper) supplier like I can with a domestic supply? - Yep

• If the unit has an existing 3 phase supply then likely all 3 phases are being used. ie Lighting on 1phase, ring mains sockets on the other etc. You my also have heater or roller doors that are three phase.

So double check this first if you think of going to 1phase as the cost to rewire everything 1phase may exceed any savings.

[ruggedscotty]

Keep the three phases, you will be glad you did.

If you are going to need machinery for your unit then three phases makes the equipment a bit cheaper to buy and run, Ive found a lot of single phase equipment uses inverters to generate three phases in machine tools these days, having three phases there now saves alll of this palava.

It all depends on what you are using the unit for.

Oh and when we get to electric cars three phases is ideal for quick chargers - you can get more power quicker from three phases. happy days !