Upgrading from 200 amp 120-208V to 400 amp 415V/240V 3-phase wye power: Need advice

I'm on the hunt for an industrial space to kick off my bitcoin mining operation. Most of the places I’m checking out come with 200 amp 120-208V power supply. What’s involved in upgrading to a 400 amp 415V/240V 3-phase wye setup? Do I need to get 480V from the utility company? I did a bit of research but couldn’t find a solid example or solution. Also, what’s the ballpark cost for this? I’m based in Phoenix, Arizona, and my power provider is APS. Thanks a ton for any insights!

You'll need to talk to the local power company and talk to an electrition. The cost is going to depend heavily on the site. Moving from 200A to 400A probably means all new wire from the transformer, and going from 208 to 415 means a whole new transformer if there isn't a 415 transformer already nearby. Copper is pretty pricy these days, so running new wire can get really expensive really fast. The power company should give you an idea of how much it would cost to install service with a new transformer and how much per foot they'd charge to run new wire to your hookup.

In the US I can guarantee there is not a 415V transformer 'nearby'. You would have the standard 480V and as a wye connection that produces 270V between each leg and neutral.

There has been a push for 415 in US / NA data centers, usually newer builds. I have never seen it in a retrofit or old location or being pulled to someplace else. BUT I have not looked at what is available in locations that I am not doing work in / have equipment in. -Dave

Yeah, maybe one in a million, but not impossible... If you are looking at space in an industrial park, or an industrial condo, you might have a better chance of finding more options. If you find a place with 480V, there might be options to adjust the voltage a bit by hooking up to different taps on the transformer, but I don't think there are typically options to go all the way down to 415 from there, so not low enough for Bitmain miners. You can also install your own transformer.

Or go with the common 480v route for incoming line voltage and use a few 3-phase 50kVA buck-boost autotransformers to get the desired 240v phase-to-neutral https://store.maddoxtransformer.com/collections/general-purpose-600v-class-dry-type-transformers/products/3-phase-autotransformer-multi-tap-600v-480v-400v-240v-208v Fed by the 480V 400A main panel, using multiple xmfrs lets you add capacity as needed instead of going all-in at one time.

we have them

Another advantage of course is that using multiple xmfrs lets you power down smaller blocks of miners if the power feed to them needs attention or modification. They will of course also still need to supply a modicum of 120V service for general building usage such as lighting, office outlets etc.

yeah we have two like your link and could add two more. also one smaller 120 is there. in the summer we run two large 5000 cfm fans blowing on the 480 trannies (no. puns)

Should I find an industrial space that already got 480v or I should ask for 400 amp 480v incoming to the power company. Hard to find a space with 480v under 3,000 sqft.

That has to be your call and for me would depend on what the power company will charge you for it and the lead-time. You can always look for a building with 3-phase 208V 800A and use buck-boost xmfrs to raise the lines to 240V... @Phil, Why? Because they get uncomfortably hot to the touch? That is the nature of the beasties. Check the nameplates and you will find that the insulation is rated for probably 180C and a temperature rise of at least 100C over ambient. Unless you can literally cook an egg on them they should be fine.

Power is the main thing with a mine. Try to get a spot with the right power coming in already would be my advice. If the space is too large then sublet some of the space. If you have a location that is perfect (right size, right price, good location, has security) then compromise on the power coming in. Getting up and running quickly and staying running will be paramount to ensuring profit, even with a non-ideal electrical service. Here is a possible strategy: With industrial spaces you can sometimes get multiple electrical services brought in. Start with the existing 208V 3 phase and add on or build out the larger system in parallel. Where I am a new electrical service is tens of thousands for an industrial space with long lead times.So if the property is too big and has the right power, better to pay that extra on the purchase price of the property instead of later.