Joe Greco wrote:
208 isn't all that great. On one hand, a 20A 208V circuit is vaguely more convenient than a 30A 120V circuit because it is delivering a bit more power to the rack (3328 vs 2880), and it's likely to work with a lot of modern equipment containing autoranging power supplies.
On the flip side, with 120, you don't have to have "odd cords," and it is somewhat easier to "right-size" power for a rack (20A, 30A, 2x20A), so for an average rack that isn't crammed with high power webhosting 1U's (etc), a customer might actually find that the ability to right- size the power feed is more flexible with 120V.
I don't find it makes much difference, really. People are used to working with 120 only because that's how we roll in the USA; scary high voltage is for the oven and dryer. I like odd cords; it makes the protected power stuff blazingly obvious and slightly harder to plug dumb things into a UPS branch circuit because hey, a plug is a plug, right?
And I don't like not having anywhere to plug in my power screwdriver's recharger... I suppose I should see if I can find someplace that has a transformer of an appropriate size, or does anyone already have the part number for something that can provide a few hunderd milliamps of 120V from 208? :-)
True, you do lose the convenience outlet factor. I made up for it by placing standard 120V outlets (utility/generator only) along the walls. It works out because I hate those stupid "wall warts" with a passion. I go out of my way to buy products that come with a corded transformer, especially if it has a C14 connector on it. If you're adept at electrical stuff you can always get a small transformer, put it in a box, stick a C14 on the high side and a 5-15 on the low side. Nothing fancy required. ~Seth