I haven't a clue about motor phase but was wondering if there is a way I can make use of a 3 phase motor in my shop. This will ,possibly, be for a dust collector system. I have a 200 amp service in my home. Do I need to convert the motor to single phase??? Is this possible in any way to make use of this motor regardless of what I use it for? Wondering in upstate NY. Work safe you all. Chipsmith
The price on variable frequency drives keeps dropping. Here is a 1 HP 230V single phase input, 3-phase output drive:
formatting link
addition to being able to vary the motor speed without changing belts, you have the ability to use the braking function to stop the motor much faster than it coasting to a stop, three wire (magnetic contactor style) on-off control (24 volt), and overload protection built in.
Here's another, for up to 3 HP ... this one is single or 3-phase input,
3-phase output:
formatting link
note the Grizzly static inverters are rated for 70% continuous HP and
90% intermittent HP, the variable frequency drive is rated for 175% starting torque.
I have to wonder where the rest of the dust collection system is and what size motor you are talking about.
You won't be converting the motor to single phase.
As far as using the motor I have no idea as you have not indicated what size it is nor its voltage rating. Its not beyond the range of possibilities to have a 550V rated three phase motor even though the most likely rating is 220/440.
If the given motor fits within a resonable set of parameters you may be able to run the motor off a variable frequency drive (VFD). These are literally getting cheaper every day, but a dust colector probally isn't the best application for this technology. Once you have a variable frequency drive you would be better off using the motor to drive a machine where that feature would be usefull.
If you plan on running more 3-phase equipment you could consider purchasing a phase converter. Otherwise you could replace the motor with 1-phase version but with the prices of dust collectors these days thats probably not economical.
A static phase converter will only help start a 3-phase motor.
3-phase motors start without a capacitor because they can produce more starting torque than 1-phase. You could do this same thing by jump starting the motor with another motor to get it spinning. Once the motor is spinning it runs on 1-phase and produces less hp and more heat.
A rotory phase converter will actually produce a 3rd sin wave so the motor will start on its own and run at ~90% of its rated hp. In order for any of this to work the 3-phase motor has to be tapped for 208-230 wiring.
A rotary phase converter wouldn't be a bad purchase considering the generally lower cost and higher availability of used 3-phase equipment. Just remember to buy a converter with more hp than you will ever need to run at the same time. If you don't want to buy one, you can build one with another 3-phase motor. If you don't care so much about efficiency you can skip all the fine tuning and the purchase of the large capacitors and just wire the motors together.
-------------------- ---------------------
220V 1-phase phase conv --------------------- weak 3-phase
220 motor
-------------------- ---------------------
I can't remember all the wire numbering off the top of my head but you can google for that.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.