Electrical · Canada
347V lighting in Canadian commercial buildings: what to check before ordering
347V is everyday in Canadian commercial buildings and rare in the U.S. Fixtures ordered on U.S. defaults are the most common voltage mistake we see on Canadian jobs.
Short answer
Many Canadian commercial, institutional and industrial buildings are supplied at 600Y/347V three-phase, and lighting is often run line-to-neutral at 347V. Fixtures on those circuits need drivers rated for 347V input (often 347–480V). Standard 120–277V drivers are not rated for it. Check the input voltage of every type on the fixture schedule, including remote drivers for low-voltage linear lighting, emergency battery packs and sensors. Where a product is not available at 347V, a step-down transformer or a different circuit is needed, decided by the electrical engineer.
Key takeaways
- 600Y/347V distribution is common in Canadian commercial buildings.
- 120–277V “universal” drivers do not cover 347V.
- Check voltage on every component, including emergency packs, sensors and remote drivers.
- Dimming options and product choice can be narrower at 347V; check early.
- Step-down transformers are a design decision for the engineer, not a site fix.
Why 347V exists
In Canada, larger buildings are commonly supplied at 600 volts, three-phase. The line-to-neutral voltage of a 600Y system is 347V, so lighting circuits can run at 347V without a transformer. Higher voltage means lower current for the same load, which allows longer runs and smaller conductors.
In the United States the equivalent is 480Y/277V, which is why fixtures designed for the U.S. market are usually catalogued 120–277V. That difference is the root of most voltage mistakes on Canadian projects.
What has to be rated for 347V
On a 347V lighting circuit, every part connected to it must be rated for that voltage:
| Component | What to check |
|---|---|
| Integral drivers | Input range includes 347V (often listed as 347V or 347–480V) |
| Remote drivers for low-voltage linear | Input 347V; output 24V or 48V to the run |
| Emergency battery packs | Rated for 347V input |
| Integrated sensors and controls | Rated for 347V or fed from a suitable supply |
| Power packs and relays | Rated for 347V switching |
A “universal voltage” label usually means 120–277V. It does not include 347V unless it says so.
Linear lighting at 347V
Two common cases:
- Line-voltage linear fixtures (suspended, recessed, surface) with integral drivers: order the 347V driver option for every section that carries a driver.
- Low-voltage linear and tape systems (24V or 48V): the remote drivers need 347V input. The low-voltage side is unaffected. See 24V vs 48V and driver sizing.
Dimming and product choice
0-10V and DALI drivers exist for 347V input, but fewer products and dimming ranges are offered than at 120–277V. Deep dimming and specialty drivers may not be available at 347V in every fixture. Check early, before the basis of design is fixed.
When a product is not available at 347V
The options are a different product, a dedicated lower-voltage circuit, or a step-down transformer or step-down driver. These are design decisions for the electrical engineer; do not improvise them on site.
Ordering checklist
- Confirm the lighting voltage of each area from the electrical drawings, not from the fixture schedule alone.
- Put the voltage in every catalogue number.
- Check emergency, sensor and remote driver options separately.
- On alternates, compare input voltage first; see or-equal substitutions.
- On delivery, check driver labels before installation.
How SuppLux helps
Before ordering, put the lighting voltage next to every type mark. Send the fixture schedule and SuppLux’s AI matches every line to verified products, with the best alternative shown first, then turns the matched set into a quote and submittal package. Send a schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Canadian buildings use 347V for lighting?
With 600V three-phase distribution, 347V is the line-to-neutral voltage. Running lighting at 347V reduces current, which allows longer circuits and smaller conductors than lower voltages.
Can I use a 277V fixture on a 347V circuit?
No, unless the driver is rated for 347V. Connecting a 277V-rated driver to 347V can damage it and is not permitted. Use a 347V-rated fixture or have the engineer provide a step-down solution.
Are 347V drivers dimmable?
Yes, 0-10V and DALI drivers are available for 347V input, but the choice of products and dimming ranges can be narrower than at 120–277V. Confirm the exact driver for each type.
Is 347V available in the United States?
It is uncommon there. U.S. commercial buildings typically use 480Y/277V. That is why fixtures made for the U.S. market are often catalogued 120–277V by default.
References
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