3Phase

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Yes you can do 120 volt and 240 volt off 3 phase. Check with a volt meter you should have 120 from one hot to neutral and 240 across 2 of the hots. L1 and L2 should be 120 to neutral L3 should be 208 to neutral. L1 to L2 will give you 240 volt.
 
Transformer and subpanel.
 
Is it possible to hook up single phase to a 3 phase equipement?

Rob

You have 3 phase equipment and want to power it with single phase? Or you have single phase equipment and want to power it with 3 phase? If the latter, see Toyo's post. If the former, see Joe_E and/or Splitshot's.
 
You have 3 phase equipment and want to power it with single phase? Or you have single phase equipment and want to power it with 3 phase? If the latter, see Toyo's post. If the former, see Joe_E and/or Splitshot's.

3phase compressor to single.

Rob
 
This is what my buddy had to use.

650075kwsh.jpg


3 Phase Converter Sales, Rotary Phase Converter, and Single to 3 Phase Static or Rotary Converters.
 
Yes

For small low starting torque loads like a mill or lathe
you can get buy with a capicitor style phase converter.
150 to 200 dollars.

for high starting torque loads like a compressor or large motors
you will need rotophase converter like that posted by Joe
1500-3000

like splitshot said if you end up going the rotophase you will need a panel for it so you install 3 phase breakers to protect your equipment.

It has been my experience that if you are running CNC equipment
a good Y transformer on the output will balance the voltage on the legs.
There are tricks to make it easier on your sensitive equip. but
making your own 3ph has its drawbacks.
 
Another option is to sell your 3 phase equipment and buy single phase stuff. From what I understand it can cost as much to make 3 phase as the tool is worth.
 
3phase compressor to single.

Rob

Yeah sorry I had it ass backwards , 3 phase converter which is basically a 3 phase generator powered by a single phase motor.

Like spike said might be cheaper to just get single phase motor for the compressor.
 
Used motors are often available really, really cheap. If I had free to cheap 3 phase equip that I wanted to use, I would be looking to make my own 3 phase rotary converter.

If you look hard enough, I have also found VFD's cheap.
 
There can be some big advantages to using three phase converters.
First, just to humor myself, I asked my utility to quote getting utility three phase back to my woodworking shop . . . almost $200,000 to bring a wire 9/10ths of a mile down the road and then 3/8 mile up the driveway. A converter can be used anywhere.
Second, used machines are often cheaper in three phase because so many home shop guys don't want them. This means less buying competition for them at auctions.
Third, many new machines are only offered in three phase especially the bigger stuff.
Fourth, compared to utility three phase, running single phase with a converter can be cheaper depending on the rate shedule for single vs three phase.
Fifth, you can gain braking when using static converters but you get less power.

In my woodworking shops (I have two buildings) I have a 10hp rotary and in the other building I have a 5hp rotary and a 10hp rotary set up in parallel so I can use either one separate or both together for 15hp which is the biggest motor on my wide belt sander.

Once you have a decent converter setup, it opens doors to other tools and equipment that you would've never looked into before.
 
Fourth, compared to utility three phase, running single phase with a converter can be cheaper depending on the rate shedule for single vs three phase.

For me, I looked into 3-phase for my shop because there is a pole with 3-phase service not twenty feet from the shop. However, the deal-breaker was the phrase "demand charges."

Basically, they look at your peak usage for a month and then bill you for the ability to supply you with that much power. So if you go out to the shop for one weekend of the month for a 16-hour fabrication fest each day - running the welder, plasma cutter, air compressor, and so forth - that will set your demand charge for the month - and possibly for the quarter. So even if the honey-do list keeps you from getting out to the shop any other time than that one weekend, you're going to be paying them for the ability to provide you with that much power.

That put a real quick end to that discussion...
 
I love me some three phase. All of my shop tools are 3 phase and my electric bill is never over $75 a month. Now if I could only figure out how to use my tools...
 
Yes it is possible.

It is much cheaper to replace the motor with a 240V single phase, and usually it is much cheaper to be the machine with the proper motor in the first place.

Often 3 phase 208VAC equiptment is cheaper (used) than 240VAC single phase because they wont sell as well, cause you would have to swap motors, unless it is larger equiptment.

Things like compressors and welders are good examples.
 
3phase compressor to single.

Rob

What size of 3 phase motor is installed now and what Voltage is the motor rated? 208 3Pz is the least , to 660v 3Pz like up here at the farm.
Our 600 volt 3phz is 25 HP water pumps, 8 of them ..


Now being at your shop , seeing its just mechanical , (no body shop sanders /DA's /spray guns ,they suck air) ,,and Im sure your looking to minimize your ""Smart Meter"" (Liberal Dictatorship ) ..power consumption.

Just guessing here Rob , 5 hp real air compressor on 100 gal tank should be large enough for 2 guns and tire machine , 7.5 hp on 120 if your 2 guns and bead blaster box going.

My Body shop used a rotary type , but the mechanical used a 10 hp unit, we were in an industrial area that was 3 phz in YVR.

The 3 phase converting is a HUGE waste of power from single to 3 phase. If you have 3 phase , single is one phase to ground thats what the shops office had. 108-112volt for the computers and lighting. all shop was 3phz lighting / hoist etc, wall sockets were 108/112 v 15amp like your single phz wall sockets are 110-125V 15 amp..

If you buy a real Air Compressor , they will outlast the shop. Mine is a Quincy 7.5 hp , compressor head designed built in 1940 for the ships of the war.
I has a oil filter , and won't pump air till the oil pressure is up. It can run all day .

Rotair in VYR sell them . I change oil in it twice a year , belts every 10 years whether it needs it or not.

Leaking air is power pissed away , the system should have "rest pressure" in hard piping . air lines & fittings are external of the hard system , but should also pass.

My 2 pesos , and 60 years in the Biz

VT
 
3 phase wire color?

Thread dredge!

A Bridgeport mill has appeared in the shop, courtesy of the tool zebra.

The 1947 mill head is powered by the original 1/2hp 208V 3ph motor.
There is a 1980's era solid state 1ph-->3ph converter and VFD bolted to the side of the mill. The terminal block of the VFD has 4 posts for the 3ph output power to the motor. They are labeled 1 2 3 gnd.

The bare ground wire is pretty obvious, but does it matter how the black/white/red motor wires are connected to the #1 or 2 or 3 terminals?

The connections for the 230V 1ph input were simply line1, line2, gnd/neutral. With that connection made, pushing the start button does engage a relay and light the power lamp, and does not light the 'fault' lamp. Just want to make sure there is no significance to the 3ph colors/numbers before making final connection. :cheers:
 

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