Otis Singleton
In electrical systems, a stinger leg, also known as a wild leg, red leg, or high leg, is a type of three-phase, 4-wire delta-connected system where one of the legs has a higher voltage (208-240V) to neutral while the others are at 120V. This system is commonly found in older and rural installations, providing a higher line-to-line voltage than typical three-phase services and sufficient voltage for appliances and lighting. However, it poses a hazard if single-phase loads are connected to the high leg, leading to potential load failure. Understanding the stinger leg is crucial for electricians and electrical professionals, especially when working with three-phase power and ensuring safe connections.
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What You'll Learn
- A stinger leg is also known as a wild leg, red leg, orange leg, or high leg
- It is the phase with a higher voltage to ground
- It is usually the B phase, but this can vary in some jurisdictions
- It is often identified by a three-pole breaker or blank circuit
- A high leg system with a neutral is not corner grounded
A stinger leg is also known as a wild leg, red leg, orange leg, or high leg
A stinger leg, also known as a wild leg, red leg, orange leg, or high leg, is a term used to refer to a specific type of electrical system configuration. It is commonly associated with three-phase power and delta-connected systems.
In a typical three-phase electrical system, there are three voltages that are out of phase with each other by 120 degrees. When measuring from any phase to the neutral, you would typically get 120 volts, and measuring phase-to-phase would result in 208 volts. However, in a stinger leg configuration, one of these phases, often referred to as the high leg or stinger, has a higher voltage compared to the other two. This voltage can be 208 or 240 volts to neutral, while the other phases remain at 120 volts to neutral.
The stinger leg configuration is sometimes intentionally created by connecting a three-phase transformer or using three single-phase transformers. This results in four wires coming out of the secondary, with three phases and a neutral connected as a center tap on one of the windings. Another method, known as the open delta configuration, uses two transformers. One transformer is connected to provide the lighting side of the circuit, and the second transformer is linked to another phase and connected to the lighting transformer secondary.
It is important to note that the high leg or stinger leg is usually required to be the "B" phase, as per the National Electrical Code (NEC). However, local rules and regulations may sometimes override these standard requirements. For example, in some jurisdictions like Texas, it is mentioned that the high leg needs to be the "C" phase, which contradicts the NEC guidelines.
Working with stinger leg configurations requires careful consideration and adherence to safety protocols. If a single-phase load is inadvertently connected to the high leg or stinger leg without knowledge of the higher voltage, it can lead to excess voltage and potential failure of the load. Therefore, it is essential to confirm the voltage requirements of the equipment and follow the appropriate procedures for the specific electrical system configuration.
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It is the phase with a higher voltage to ground
In a three-phase, 4-wire, delta-connected system, one of the phases has a higher voltage to ground than the other two. This phase is known as the "high leg" or "stinger leg". It is typically the B phase, but this can vary depending on local rules and specific system requirements.
The high leg has a voltage of 208V phase-to-neutral, while the other two phases have a voltage of 120V phase-to-neutral. This results in a line-to-line voltage of 240V. In some cases, the high leg voltage may be even higher, such as 240V to 600V in three-phase systems for large motors.
The purpose of the high leg is to provide a return path to clear a ground fault on either of the other two phases. It is important to note that the high leg should not be used as a single-phase load, as it can supply excess voltage and cause load failure. This is a common issue in older and rural installations.
When working with a stinger leg, it is crucial to confirm which phase is the high leg and to ensure that only 3-pole breakers tie into that phase to avoid frying the controls. Additionally, motor rotation should be double-checked on any 3-phase motors fed by circuit breakers to prevent accidental changes during the process of moving, removing, rerouting, extending, or reconnecting the load wiring.
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It is usually the B phase, but this can vary in some jurisdictions
In electrical systems, the term "stinger leg" refers to a specific type of configuration where one of the phase-to-neutral voltages, typically phase B, is higher than the other two. This configuration is often found in older and rural installations and provides a unique set of advantages. However, it is crucial to identify the high leg or stinger leg to prevent potential issues.
While it is commonly the B phase that serves as the stinger leg, this is not universally true. There are variations in different jurisdictions, and it is important for electricians to confirm the specific phase designations in their local context. For example, in some parts of the United States, such as Texas, there are reports of utilities and local rules requiring the high leg to be the C phase, which contradicts the National Electrical Code (NEC).
The high leg or stinger leg is typically identified by its voltage reading. In a standard configuration, the B phase will read 208V phase to neutral, while the other two phases will read 120V. This higher voltage is a distinguishing characteristic of the stinger leg. However, it is always advisable to use a meter to confirm the voltage readings rather than relying solely on previous work or assumptions.
The positioning of the stinger leg is crucial and has specific requirements. While it is commonly associated with the B phase, it is important to note that it does not need to be in the center hole on a three-pole branch circuit breaker. This flexibility in positioning allows for adjustments during installation or maintenance.
To ensure safety and proper functionality, electricians should be cautious about plugging pole breakers into the stinger leg. In general, only three-pole breakers should tie into the B phase, and it is recommended to avoid plugging any two-pole breakers into this phase. This precaution helps prevent potential issues with loads that require the neutral line in addition to the two hot lines.
In summary, while the stinger leg is usually associated with the B phase, variations exist in different jurisdictions. Electricians must be aware of local rules and confirm the specific phase designations in their region. Proper identification, voltage readings, and adherence to safety guidelines are essential when working with stinger leg configurations.
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It is often identified by a three-pole breaker or blank circuit
The stinger leg, also known as the wild leg, red leg, high leg, orange leg, or even smoker leg, is a term used to describe a specific type of electrical configuration. It is often associated with three-phase power and high-leg delta systems.
In the context of identifying the stinger leg, you mentioned a "three-pole breaker or blank circuit." This seems to refer to a specific aspect of the electrical system, and indeed, it is a crucial factor in identifying the stinger leg.
Firstly, it is important to understand that the stinger leg is typically associated with the "B" phase or center phase in a three-phase system. This is an important piece of information because it provides a reference point for identifying the stinger leg. According to electrical standards and conventions, the high leg or stinger leg is generally required to be the "B" phase. This is specified in various electrical codes, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Now, relating this back to your specific query, the three-pole breaker or blank circuit is indeed a critical aspect of identifying the stinger leg. In a watthour meter application, there are two stators involved. One stator is connected across L1 and L2, which represent the 'lighting' portion of the service. This part is equivalent to a conventional single-phase, 3-wire meter. The other stator is connected between L3 and the neutral, which is the wild leg or stinger portion of the service. This is where the identification of the three-pole breaker or blank circuit comes into play.
The B phase (also known as circuits #3 and #4) and every third circuit afterwards will often be identified by either a three-pole breaker or a blank circuit. This is a consistent pattern that electrical professionals use to identify the presence of a stinger leg system. By examining the circuit configuration and identifying the B phase or its subsequent circuits, one can expect to find a three-pole breaker or a blank circuit associated with them. This is a tell-tale sign of the stinger leg system.
In conclusion, when you encounter a three-pole breaker or blank circuit in the context of electrical systems, particularly in relation to the B phase or its subsequent circuits, it is often a strong indication of the presence of a stinger leg or high-leg delta system. This unique configuration is an important aspect of electrical systems and can be identified through careful examination of the circuit layout and a basic understanding of electrical conventions.
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A high leg system with a neutral is not corner grounded
A high-leg delta system is a type of electrical service connection for three-phase electric power installations. It is used when both single and three-phase power is supplied from a three-phase transformer or transformer bank. The three-phase power is connected in a delta configuration, and the centre point of one phase is grounded. This creates both a split-phase single-phase supply and three-phase power. The high-leg delta system is also known as a wild-leg, stinger leg, bastard leg, orange-leg, red-leg or dog-leg delta.
In a high-leg delta system, the voltages between the three phases are the same in magnitude. However, the voltage magnitudes between a particular phase and the neutral vary. The phase-to-neutral voltage of two of the phases will be half of the phase-to-phase voltage. The remaining phase-to-neutral voltage will be greater than the phase-to-phase voltage.
A corner-grounded delta system, on the other hand, has no neutral. It has a grounded conductor, which must be bonded at the service equipment and run separately from the branch circuits and feeders. In a corner-grounded delta system, there are two terminals with line-to-ground voltages that are the same as the line-to-line voltage.
Therefore, a high-leg system with a neutral is not corner-grounded. The presence of a neutral point in a high-leg system distinguishes it from a corner-grounded delta system. The neutral point in a high-leg system is created by centre-tapping a winding and connecting it to the ground.
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Frequently asked questions
A stinger leg, also known as a wild leg, red leg, high leg, orange leg, or smoker leg, is a type of electrical system where one of the legs has a higher voltage (208-240V) to neutral while the others are 120V to neutral.
A high leg system is a type of electrical system where one of the phase-to-neutral voltages is higher than the other two. This type of system can be created using a three-phase transformer or three single-phase transformers, resulting in four wires coming out of the secondary.
A wild leg and a stinger leg are different terms for the same concept. A wild leg is a type of electrical system where one of the legs has a higher voltage, and this leg is sometimes referred to as the stinger leg.
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