BIS Laboratories
Solving Lab Equipment Voltage Mismatch

Industry: Laboratory and Scientific Services

Location: British Columbia (Canada)

Challenge: A new laboratory buildout had 208V commercial power available, but certain lab equipment required 220V, creating an undervoltage mismatch that could disrupt commissioning and equipment reliability.

Solution: We supplied a buck/boost transformer configured to boost 208V to approximately 220V so the equipment could operate at its required voltage without changing facility service.

The Challenge: 220V Lab Equipment in a 208V Commercial Facility

BIS Laboratories in Richmond, British Columbia was completing a new laboratory buildout. During planning and commissioning, the team identified a voltage mismatch: the facility’s available power was 208V, but certain equipment required 220V to operate correctly.

208V is common in commercial buildings across North America, including Canada. It is frequently derived from a 208Y/120V service where 120V is available to neutral and 208V is available line-to-line. For many loads, 208V is normal and expected.

Laboratory equipment can be different. Certain instruments and systems are specified for 220V or a 220V/230V class input. When they are fed by 208V, the equipment may start, but performance and reliability can become unpredictable depending on the device and its tolerance.

For a lab buildout, the practical risk is commissioning delay and ongoing operational instability. BIS Laboratories needed a clean, permanent voltage correction approach that could be integrated into the facility plan without requiring utility changes.

Why They Couldn’t Just Run the Equipment at 208V

A common assumption is that 208V and 220V are close enough to treat as interchangeable. In laboratory environments, that can create real problems.

• Sensitive equipment will not tolerate undervoltage Some devices are designed to operate within a narrow range, and undervoltage can cause errors, faults, or unreliable operation.

• Motors and power supplies can run hotter under stress When devices try to maintain performance under lower voltage, current draw and heat can increase depending on the equipment design.

• Commissioning becomes inconsistent If voltage is below what equipment expects, startups can become unpredictable, creating wasted time during a buildout.

• The cost of downtime is high In laboratory operations, a single unstable system can interrupt workflows and delay work.
  

Because this buildout required dependable performance, BIS Laboratories needed to supply the equipment with the voltage it was designed to run on.

The Solution: Buck/Boost Voltage Correction (208V → 220V)

We supplied a buck/boost transformer configured to boost the facility’s 208V supply to approximately 220V for the equipment that required it.

A buck/boost transformer is commonly used for small, targeted voltage correction. Instead of changing the entire facility service, it corrects the voltage difference where needed. In this case, it provided a practical way to deliver a 220V-class supply to specific equipment while keeping the building’s 208V service intact.

This project intentionally avoids part numbers and does not list equipment models. The focus is the application: correcting a 208V-to-220V mismatch during a lab buildout.

Why a Buck/Boost Transformer Was the Right Choice

• Correct voltage without changing facility service The solution delivered a 220V-class supply to the equipment while keeping the building’s 208V commercial service unchanged.

• A standard approach for small mismatches Buck/boost transformers are commonly used when the correction needed is relatively small and the goal is a permanent fix.

• Supports predictable commissioning Supplying the required voltage reduces the risk of nuisance faults and inconsistent startups during a buildout.

• Fits lab buildout planning Voltage correction can be designed in during construction rather than discovered and patched after the lab is operational.

• Reduces long-term risk Correcting the mismatch helps protect equipment reliability and reduces ongoing troubleshooting tied to undervoltage.
  

The Results

The voltage correction allowed BIS Laboratories to bring the new lab equipment online at the voltage it required without redesigning the facility’s incoming power.

• Commissioning supported at the correct voltage Equipment requiring 220V could be operated on an approximately 220V supply rather than a 208V undervoltage condition.

• Reduced commissioning friction Voltage mismatch risk was removed from the startup process during the buildout.

• Avoided service changes The building’s 208V service remained in place while the equipment received the voltage it required.

• Improved reliability posture Correct voltage reduced the likelihood of ongoing undervoltage-related issues.
  

This case shows why voltage planning is best solved during buildout. Correcting the mismatch early prevents long-term operational headaches.

Why 208V-to-220V Mismatches Are Common in Labs

208V-to-220V issues show up frequently in laboratory buildouts because commercial power and equipment standards don’t always align.

1. 208V is a common commercial standard. Many commercial and industrial buildings use 208Y/120V systems, making 208V line-to-line power widely available.

2. Lab equipment is built to multiple voltage standards. Some instruments are designed for 220V or 230V class input depending on manufacturer and market.

3. Buildouts include mixed-origin equipment. Labs often source equipment globally, and the “best” instrument for the job may not be optimized for the building’s standard voltage.

4. The mismatch is often discovered at commissioning. Voltage becomes urgent when equipment is installed and needs to run, which is why a permanent correction method matters.
   

This is why buck/boost transformers are commonly used to close the gap between commercial building voltages and laboratory equipment requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you run 220V equipment on 208V?

Some equipment may run, but performance and reliability depend on the specific device and its tolerance. In lab environments, undervoltage can create nuisance faults or unstable operation, so correcting voltage is often the safer approach.

Can a buck/boost transformer boost 208V to 220V?

Yes. Buck/boost transformers are commonly used for small voltage corrections such as boosting 208V to approximately 220V when properly selected and configured.

Why is 208V common in commercial buildings?

Many commercial buildings use a 208Y/120V service. In that system, 120V is available to neutral and 208V is available line-to-line, which is why 208V is common across North America.

Is a buck/boost transformer a permanent solution?

Yes, when properly selected and installed, buck/boost transformers are used as permanent voltage correction equipment in commercial and industrial facilities.

Does a buck/boost transformer provide isolation or change phase?

No. Buck/boost transformers are commonly applied as autotransformers for voltage correction and do not convert single-phase to three-phase. If isolation is required, that is a different transformer selection.

Key Takeaways

• 208V is common commercial power Many facilities have 208V available line-to-line even when equipment requires 220V, 230V or 240V.

• Lab equipment may be voltage-sensitive Undervoltage can cause unreliable operation, faults, or commissioning issues.

• Buck/boost is a targeted correction method It can boost 208V to approximately 220V without changing facility service.

• Buildout is the best time to fix mismatches Correcting voltage during construction reduces long-term troubleshooting.

• Correct voltage supports reliability Supplying equipment with the voltage it requires protects performance and reduces operational risk.

Buck/boost transformers are a standard solution for small voltage corrections in commercial and laboratory facilities when equipment requirements do not match available service voltage. To learn more about solving voltage mismatch challenges for your equipment, contact Sanzo Sales.