Help. Got a Triphase Equipment to my Residential Home.

The size/capacity of a pool heater depends on the size of the pool, and how fast you want the heater to heat the water...which depends on if the pool is enclosed, covered, and wind conditions.... How did you size this heater initially, and why are you questioning that now?

http://www.zodiacpoolsystems.com/Energy-Center/Calculators/Pool-Heater-Sizing.aspx

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/swimming-pool-heating-d_878.html

I got the BTU requirement from several pool companies. I have a fiberglass pool with an enclosure. This heater cost $4,000. Selling it would yield very little return on investment. I was thinking of a rotary inverter from americanrotary.com and they recommended a 30 HP model such as ADX30 or AI13. The horsepower seems excessive. I wanted to know what the recommended horsepower this community recommends. I already planned to hire an electrician or HVAC person. Thanks, riddler7777

The existing unit is about 7.5 hp. A rotary converter might need to be rated somewhat higher, but 30 hp seems too high. You will need to distinguish between running hp versus starting requirements.

In smaller sizes, there are VFDs that can drive 3-phase motors from 1-phase input, but I don't know if this is common in your range.

Phase technologies, offers a model that is good for 10hp at 230v, expensive but worth it.(my opinion, in no way a commercial solicitation).

I'm not an electrician or electrical engineer, but the term "inverter" generally applies to conversion from alternating to direct current or vice versa.

I don't know about the power distribution where you are, but power in my locality is supplied to all customers as 3 phase, and most residential users only require one phase, with the exception of equipment such as electric stoves, clothes dryers, and larger air conditioners. You may already be receiving 3 phase power up to your main breaker

If you plan to hire an HVAC person, hire one with a strong knowledge of electrical systems.

Also check your local codes to see if someone doing electrical work is required to be licensed.

One option would be a phase converter to derive 3-phase output from 1-phase input. There are various types.

Another option would be to sell the 3-phase unit and buy a 1-phase unit of (nearly) equal Btu/h rating. If the mfr is now bankrupt, you might not get a good price, though.

1 phase to three phase was what I thought the OP was trying to get to. Without the 1.73 afforded the 3 phase, this represents a sizable 1 phase load, even with an efficient converter.

Wire ampacity of 48 on a circuit breaker of about 90A is not unreasonable for 240/1 supply.

My advice is to sell your heat pump online and buy a single phase unit. Likely the most cost effective solution (three phase converters are expensive and sizing for higher motor starting current may require a big one).

Also, talk with a local electrician and seriously consider getting a quote for a three phase connection to your home, you may find it a cheaper solution (it will depend on where you are and your country however).

Either option will need to be wired and installed by a qualified electrician (including the protection).

If you have natural gas service, sell the electric unit and buy a gas unit.

Fusion power with a flux capacitor for storage is the wave of the future.

Would be easier though if he has gas.

What we have here, is failure to communicate.

9

"If you have natural gas service, sell the electric unit and buy a gas unit."

52glkkepc

Good idea, but check local codes, and have all piping/connections done by licensed plumber

Using a static phase convertor would only give you about two-thirds of the motor's rated horsepower. A rotary phase convertor would be too expensive (and overkill) for your application.

What about the possibility of replacing the motor with a single-phase unit?

POWER QUALITY

Phase Perfect® produces true sinusoidal three-phase output voltages balanced to within 1%

under all load conditions. Because the output voltage is a sine wave with very low harmonic distortion, all types of three-phase equipment can be safely powered. Input current is true sinusoidal, near unity (.99) power factor and does not produce harmonics which can pollute the power grid.

No de-rating.

1. Why did you buy a 3 phase unit?
2. Where did you buy it?
3. Why didn't the salesman sell you the correct unit?
4. Very few if any residential homes have 3 phase service!
5. A rotary 3 phase converter is going to cost you a bundle and a bundle to run too!

If it has not been installed, return it and purchase the correct unit! If the salesman sold you a unit that is not correct, file a complaint and speak to a manager.

If they give you a hassle, social media works by shaming them into doing the right thing

Simple as that

[edit]

I completely read past the "went bankrupt" part. DUH!

Sorry.

Contact the manufacturer and maybe if the company that went bankrupt was an authorized dealer for the equipment, they may step up and send you the correct unit if you ship the incorrect unit back to them first? Oh, and you will probably have to pay for shipping. BOTH WAYS!

Depending on size and weight, it may cost $1000.00 for round trip shipping.

I wish you the best of luck.

Let us know what happens.

Your experience may help someone else that encounters your situation?

In my part of the world three-phase power can be dropped to a residential home however there is a significant monthly tariff fee as well as a minimum monthly user fee (standby) charged for the service regardless of the amount of power consumed.

These additional charges usually offset any energy savings realized by using any three-phase power verses standard residential single-phase power especially when servicing seasonal use equipment such as pools.

It is possible to purchase phase converters for each piece of equipment that will allow limited operation however HVAC compressors usually suffer a very high loss of horsepower and in most cases will prematurely fail.

Associated cost from equipment damage coupled with low power factor inefficiency over a long period of time will be far higher than replacing the equipment with single-phase equipment.

I would contact and ask your energy provider what the cost for installing three-phase power to your site as well as what if any, standby, minimum usage charges, and tariff fees apply to your location.

I would then hire a competent electrical contractor to examine the equipment and site and ask for a cost estimate or bid to upgrade your existing electrical service to accommodate the three-phase service.

I would also ask the same contractor to provide a cost estimate/bid for replacing all of the three-phase equipment with single-phase equipment.

Adding the above costs together and developing a separate amortization schedule over a period of 3-5 years for each power supply type will give you a better understanding of which is the best way to proceed.

I would also consider supplementing the pool heater with a solar heating collector unit to offset the cost of operation.

True,

I was referring to North America. I have zero experience with foreign country electrical codes.

I know that in California and Nevada the electric company will not install 3 phase in a residential home.

I do know some people that have built dwellings inside of commercial space because they have 3 phase equipment and don't mind living in a big warehouse looking thing. I believe that it also is illegal (by building code) to live in a commercial space.

Riddler7777,

Your post leaves open your location, which would be nice to know, but not essential. It appears that you have four basic options (mentioned by others already):

1. Trade-in the unit or sell it and get one for single-phase service. This appears to have been discarded.
2. Heat the pool by gas and just get rid of the equipment. Also discarded.
3. Use a VFD (Variable-frequency drive, also called an inverter) to take the single-phase AC in and provide 3-phase out. This can be surprisingly cost effective (compared to replacing the unit or bringing in 3-phase power), but would be a much better approach if the control panel for your heater were to be rebuilt with VFD's for the two motors in place of the contactors presently there. That approach is highly-likely to be outside of your abilities so should be discarded unless you have a controls engineer readily available.
4. Use a static or rotary converter. This may be your best approach in terms of "bang for the buck". It is certainly simpler than #3 above. Others' comments about the size of the converter are valid.

--John M.