Convert two phase power to 3 phase power using a AC 3Phase Motor

The answer is an easy one.

Place a large capacitor into the 3rd phase connection of the motor.

For a set of diagrams, plus the explanation, look here:

http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/phase-converter/phase-converter.html

Thank you very much for that very useful information... I now understand.

You are very welcome.

I trust your machining business prospers well.

Do you have a shaperinstalled at your workshop?

I have used all machining tools, except a mill, because there was only one of those, and the Company was afraid it might be broken.

Mind you, that was almost 50 years ago

What you will see in that forum that what you want is called a "rotary phase converter". The designs are available in plenty of places and the application is quite common.

By the way, just so you don't get confused by other people when you speak of this in the future, you don't have "2 phase" power What you have is still considered single phase. There is such thing as 2 phase power, but it is extremely rare, requires 4 wires and cannot be converted to 3 phase with an idler motor. It's a common mistake.

Thank you for the clarification. I am really confused. I thought 2 wires means 2 phase, and 3 wires is 3 phase. Anyway... This is what I like with CR4, knowledge sharing through interaction is really benefiacial to all.

Power plant sends power over three lines. Voltages on these lines have the same amplitude but with a phase difference of 120 degrees each from the other. The return for all three is the earth. After some reductions, the three phase power lines have four conductors: the three "phases" and the neutral (return). If you see a power cable you will notice that the three phases conductors have an equal size (diameter – for example) and the neutral has a much smaller diameter. Theoretically, the return of the three phases cancel, on summation.

Imagine that you want to send power to a few homes. One still have the "medium voltage" power lines where the voltage is higher than the necessary domestic 120V. So you use a step down transformer for a house. The primary is connected between two phases of the medium voltage line and the secondary will provide "juice" to the house. There is a taped secondary winding. The center tape is well grounded and the ends provide the 220V between them, and 120V to the ground. This is called, incorrectly, the domestic "two phase", as JRaef well stated. This system is a three conductor one. In fact, the ends of the secondary of the home transformer, are 180 degrees out of phase. If you were to bring into your home a true 2 phase power line, you would, still, have three conductors, one being the neutral and the other two, with a phase difference of only 120 degrees. Thus, a true 2 phase system would measure 208V between the phases. You may find some strange other voltages (according to the connection of the power transformer) that scared me (a guy who came from the commie Europe with a single standard, approved by the communist party).

You can use a generator 3 phases, that is operated by 2 phases 220vac motor.

Use inverter that 2 phase input for each machine-very expensive but best energy saving.

convert currence motor to 2 phase.

I bought a Hitachi VFD from this guy. It works great on my 1HP mill.

http://stores.ebay.com/candb-industrialproducts21

Magandang umaga. Kumusta ka. That just about wipes out my Tagalog. My wife of 29 years is Filipino. Her family lives in Baguio. When I was there last, 1999, they were using single phase 220.

JRaef is right about the power and the Rotary Phase Converter. They advertise in Electrical Contractor magazine. I would send their web site but I trashed the last issue. It would give you something to compare to those manufactured in Asia.

Perhaps if you asked the right power official, they would mount a three phase transformer beside your shop. This would solve your problem for sure.

I tried to get my wife to move back to Baguio and develop a water purification and bottling plant. She is not ready to return full-time yet. I have one or two great adventures left in me before I grow old. I spent 2+ years in asia. I loved it. There is something about the orient I'll never get over.

Good luck, email me if you need that website.

James

hastingselectric@aol.com

Thanks James,

Good tagalog, I am happy to hear that your wife is a Filipina. Well I live south of Baguio, about 300 km, in Lipa City, Batangas. The power provider will charge me too much if request for the phase converter. I am just starting this machining business and just could not afford high cost for the power conversion. I have search some shop with the same problem I got, and found out that they really use a 3 phase AC Motor, about 15HP to do the job for me. It can drive my 3 machines, mill, lathe and grinder machine.

Sure, I want to see the web site you mentioned earlier. The more information I can have the more accurate my decision will be. I got the motor now, and have to buy a 2500 microfarad capacitor 220VAC, plus another 2 pcs 1000 microfarad 110VAC capacitor. This will the job for me. I will use the diagram Spark send me before.

Again thanks to all

Phase-a-matic. www.phase-a-matic.com

Good luck,

James

Some solid-state converters are here:

http://www.mastec.co.nz/Booster/Single%20to%20Three%20Phase.html

Cheers....