- Location
- Oxfordshire
Does any one have any experience of them? Looks like I might be getting one to upgrade a single phase supply to 3 phase. Been trying to source my own, but my just get one that my biomass people are supplying.
3 phase converters
- Thread starter Poncherello1976
- Start date
Yes, I used to run my 3ph drills, lathes etc on one. It was hopelessly underpowered and generally couldn't handle the start up load required. That said, it was over 20 years ago now so I technology will have moved on since. Back then they were only suitable for running motor based equipment so if you're thinking of getting one to give 3 phase supply for things like welders it won't work.
Do your homework and research- a good 3 phase generator will delivery true 3 phase electric and can often be had for not much more than a new converter.
Do your homework and research- a good 3 phase generator will delivery true 3 phase electric and can often be had for not much more than a new converter.
- Location
- Oxfordshire
Thank you. It is a temporary measure as I sort of have 3 phase on the farm now, but am waiting for EDF to pull their finger out and fit a meter. Though I have lost my patience with EDF and need a bit of space before I try and sort out a meter. I was trying to find one not supplied by the company that is installing the biomass boiler, but 1 supplier would not touch it, and 1 was 2.5 times the price and so before my head exploded i just went back to the biomass people. Hopefully it will all be fine for now, and in 6 months time when i have the energy to talk to EDF again we will get our 3 phase metered up and useable.
- Location
- Agricultural Engineer, Lancashire
If your solution only needs to be temporary maybe a generator suits this even more so? Buy it at the right price and sell on once you've finished. Like the previous poster said, the phase converters aren't for all applications. The motor ratings can be quite low too if you aren't wanting to spend big bucks.
I have had a Transwave converter operating a 3 phase biomass boiler for 12 years now. 2 motors on it , One about 2kw, other 0.5 kw.Motors run only less than a second every minute. Only problem was due to voltage surge from our electricity supplier. They seem to keep their value as well.
borderterribles
Member
- Location
- South Shropshire
I'm not sure just how much technology has moved on. I asked two reputable manufacturers to quote for supplying a converter to run a 3 phase batch pasteuriser on a 1 phase supply. Both declined as they weren't confident that it could work satisfactorily here. So I bought a 3 phase generator!
Deutzdx3
Member
Motorun phase converters. Dave, only person I buy mine from. Top service.
- Location
- Mid Norfolk
I used to run 3ph machine tools on a capacitor type converter. It worked, but not well. Couldn't handle fluctuating loads well and burnt out a small suds pump that was piggy backed onto the lathe motor.
Rotary converters are supposed to be much better, but much less efficient and much more expensive. As others have said a decent 3ph genny will do the job much better - if it will work in your application.
Getting a proper 3ph supply will save you a ton of money on energy if you are running lots of big motors. 1ph motors pull way more current at start-up and under load than an equivalent 3ph.
Rotary converters are supposed to be much better, but much less efficient and much more expensive. As others have said a decent 3ph genny will do the job much better - if it will work in your application.
Getting a proper 3ph supply will save you a ton of money on energy if you are running lots of big motors. 1ph motors pull way more current at start-up and under load than an equivalent 3ph.
Deutzdx3
Member
Static phase converters are great for running 1 item at a time.
Rotary can run several items as the rotary motor balances out the phases as different loads are applied.
Other alternative in an inverter.
240v single phase to 240v 3 phase. The motor has to be capable of this. Basically, the motor is run in star or delta, I forget which way round. Not all motors are ok with inverter control. They take less power than converters, you need 1 per item you’re looking to run.
I run a 5.5kw from a static phase converter, milling machine from another, lathe from another. I run my paint over which has 2 4kw motors from inverters. They are very efficient running this way as I can set the time it takes to ramp up the speed so as to lower the power surge that motor pull on start up.
Also have 2 4kw hydrovane compressors that have had inverted fitted. They have a 10 second soft start set into the inverter. Much better that banging in straight away as they would from a converter.
For welders, rotary converters work well but can’t beat a genny for that.
Only limiting factor is cable size and single phase supply. We have 100amp supply so pretty good for most things.
Rotary can run several items as the rotary motor balances out the phases as different loads are applied.
Other alternative in an inverter.
240v single phase to 240v 3 phase. The motor has to be capable of this. Basically, the motor is run in star or delta, I forget which way round. Not all motors are ok with inverter control. They take less power than converters, you need 1 per item you’re looking to run.
I run a 5.5kw from a static phase converter, milling machine from another, lathe from another. I run my paint over which has 2 4kw motors from inverters. They are very efficient running this way as I can set the time it takes to ramp up the speed so as to lower the power surge that motor pull on start up.
Also have 2 4kw hydrovane compressors that have had inverted fitted. They have a 10 second soft start set into the inverter. Much better that banging in straight away as they would from a converter.
For welders, rotary converters work well but can’t beat a genny for that.
Only limiting factor is cable size and single phase supply. We have 100amp supply so pretty good for most things.
- Location
- Oxfordshire
Thanks for the replies. I will at some stage be going to 3phase properly, but not sure when. So this converter is only a stop gap. I am getting a converter that the biomass people are supplying and so I presume they know what works with their system and I am confident that this converter will be fine. Its a digital static phase converter. Will put a picture up when it arrives.
David the spud man
Member
- Location
- North Norfolk
Any of them on this page, worth going for 4 kW rather than 3 as the motor is rated at 3/3.5 kW. I have happily used the LS Starvert brand. Remember to change the links in the motor connection box from delta to star for 230v (normally labelled in the lid of the box) https://inverterdrive.com/group/AC-Inverter-Drives-230V/?filter=Power|4kW
David the spud man
Member
Brilliant thanks
David the spud man
Member
Is it definitely from delta to star not star to delta ?
- Location
- North Norfolk
You are right, I doubted what I had written after posting. It should be inside the connection box, labelled with the voltages, so follow that, not me!
pbg somerset
Member
Iv e just had a 16 amp phase converter made by Digital Drives pack up ,fitted to a biomass boiler , it is only seven years old , the reconditioned unit cost £800 . Im not very impressed . Ive another boiler with a couple of 3 phase motors run through Bradley Allen inverters , one each . So far these have been reliable although they will switch off boiler if there is a power cut and then have to manually reset on re powering in order to re start boiler which is infuriating .
David the spud man
Member
Atm im running it with a rotary phase converter which is working well but I think I'll just get 3 phase wired into the house we have it there its just to get it wired up
- Tags
- drills