3
phase power is used today for many
applications ranging from the above grain dryer to saw
mills, conveyer belt systems, refrigeration and air
conditioning, etc.
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3 Phase Contents |
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One
of the
most common class of 3
phase load is the 3
phase electric motor. A 3 phase induction motor
has a simple design, inherently high starting torque,
and high efficiency. Such motors are applied in
industry for 3
phase pumps, fans, blowers, compressors, conveyor
drives, and many other types of motor-driven
equipment. There are a lot of benefits to using a 3
phase motor over a 1-phase electric motor. A 3
phase motor is more compact and less costly than a
1-phase motor of the same voltage class and rating;
also 1-phase AC motors above 10 HP (7.5 kW) are not as
efficient and thus not usually manufactured.
Large
air conditioning equipment (for example, most air
conditioning units above 2.5 tons (8.8 kW) cooling
capacity) use 3 phase motors for reasons of economy
and efficiency. Read more about 3
phase power loads below.
Because
of the benefits of 3 phase power it is often preferred
to use 3 phase even when it is not convenient. Even
when it is convenient there are reasons to want to
generate your own 3 phase power onsite with a 3 phase
generating rotary phase converter that will run on a
single phase supply line. The biggest benefit of
generating your own 3 phase power in this way is that
you can control the quality of the 3 phase. The
four most obvious desirable qualities for 3 phase
power that you can achieve with a quality Rotary Phase
converter are; reducing spikes and sags, controlling
the power factor, 3 balanced phases, and a smooth 3
phase wave form. Each of these qualities of 3
phase are essential and will allow your 3 phase
equipment to operate properly and extend the life of
operating years. Read below for more details on
these solutions.
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3 Phase Powered Hobart
Dough Mixer - pictured above
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3 Phase Powered
Electric Motor - pictured above
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3 Phase Powered
Milling Machine - pictured above |
3
Phase Electrical Power Converter
Often
the advantages of three-phase power for motors and
other 3 phase equipment make it worthwhile to convert
single-phase to three phase power. Rural
business or farm properties, and urban residential
area power consumers, may not have access to a 3 phase
supply, or may not want to pay for the extra cost of a
3 phase service, but may still wish to use three-phase
equipment. Some of such 3
phase converters may also allow the
frequency (see also frequency
converters) to be varied allowing for different
equipment frequency
requirements (50Hz, 60Hz, 400Hz, etc.) and also
for motor speed control (VFDs).
Some locomotives are driven by 3-phase motors with 3
phase converters converted from the incoming supply of
either DC or 1 phase AC.
The two main types of 1 phase to 3 phase
converters are Rotary
Phase Converters and Static
Phase Converters. Read below for more about 3
phase converters.
3
Phase Generating Phase Converter
There
is a big difference between phase converter
types available on the market today. Most 3
phase converters sold by companies today
do not produce actual balanced 3 phase power.
This is why is very important to select a 3
phase generating phase converter which will run
on single phase power and generate true balanced
smooth 3 phase power. Below is a
comparison of several technologies available
today.
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3
Phase Converter Types and Comparison
Good old fashioned research will
help guide you to make sure that you are able to get
the proper product to give you balanced 3 phase power.
The US
Phase Converter Standards Organization has some
excellent guides to help choose the appropriate
technology for your need comparing them side by side.
Check out their Phase
Converter Type Comparison Chart to read about the
strengths and weaknesses of each type side by side
with their ratings on quality, durability, safety, and
3 phase power quality produced. They also offer
a useful 3
Phase Converter Resources page.
Continue And Read About Additional 3 Phase Power
Details:
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