Putting the cart before the horse…..Three Phase power question???????

[TheOldHokie]

My mill is 2hp 220v 3 phase, powered with a Phase-a-matic PAM-300 solid state 1 phase to 3 phase converter.
It has run flawlessly for over 30 years.
I pulled the power from an unused 30a 220v dryer circuit.
I'm told that this setup will provide less than full power, but I have never been able to detect any evidence of that.
I also run my 220v 3 phase diamond/alox tool grinder on the same circuit, but not at the same time.
I have a 12-4 rubber cord from the converter connected to the mill through a 20A 250V 3 phase twist lock cord cap, and just disconnect it from the mill and connect it to the grinder's cord with the same cord/cap.
I forward/reverse power tap with large taps (1"-8 UNC & 1"-12 UNF) and have taken heavy enough cuts to make the belt slip with no problems from the converter.

1 to 3 HP Phase-A-Matic™ Static Phase Converter, UL Certified. Heavy Duty - PhaseAMatic

phase-a-matic.com

I suppose if I had it to do over again, I might go with a VFD, but this was cheap & fast to acquire & hook up.
I think I installed it & was up and running in less than an hour after the converter was delivered.

Phase-a-matuc is quite ckear - that is a motor starter and does not produce 3 phase power. Your 3 phase motor is running with a total phase loss. In an industrial machine that is considered a serious power fault and a VFD would shutdown the system to protect the motor from damage.

Dan

STARTS THREE-PHASE MOTORS FROM SINGLE-PHASE POWER TO RUN AT 2/3 RATED HP*

IMPORTANT: Static Converters do not produce constant 3-phase power; they “jump-start” your 3-phase motor to run on single-phase power. Be sure to read all information provided.

 

[TheOldHokie]

So you are using "Method 1” in their description?

METHOD #1

Using the Phase-A-Matic™ Static Converter only will produce approximately 2/3 normal HP.* This method is inexpensive, the most popular, provides excellent results on most machines tools and numerous other uses. Motor speed is not changed. Most two-speed motors, power feeds, coolant pumps, etc., will operate normally. Motor will instant reverse. There is nothing to change. All switch gear will work normally. *Refers to wye-wound motors; delta-wound motors will run at 50% rated HP. Delta-wound motors are very rare in the USA, occasionally being found on some imported equipment, and are particularly found on German and Italian machines.

If the motor is 400/240V dual voltage capable there will be a wiring box with six leads and wiring diagrams for selecting which voltage you want. 400 V wiring will be Wye and 240V wiring is delta. Do not confuse this with Wye service from the POCO. Just that simple.

Dan

 

[Lil Foot]

So you are using "Method 1” in their description?

METHOD #1

Using the Phase-A-Matic™ Static Converter only will produce approximately 2/3 normal HP.* This method is inexpensive, the most popular, provides excellent results on most machines tools and numerous other uses. Motor speed is not changed. Most two-speed motors, power feeds, coolant pumps, etc., will operate normally. Motor will instant reverse. There is nothing to change. All switch gear will work normally. *Refers to wye-wound motors; delta-wound motors will run at 50% rated HP. Delta-wound motors are very rare in the USA, occasionally being found on some imported equipment, and are particularly found on German and Italian machines.

Correct!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Is that stamped on the motor somewhere?

Every electrician we've called in has first ohmed it out to verify. I know just enough to know to not mess with 3-phase because I'm gonna wreck something.

I would say ohm it out to be sure you have what you think you have. We regularly have motors re-wound when servicing machines and they can be wound any way you want, we just stick with "as delivered" because then everything matches up and if it worked for 20 years as-is it'll work another 20 years, but I've seen some funky wiring on stuff because it worked better for some odd application long-lost to the anals of history (and some guy named "Jack" that retired 20+ years ago). Plus if something is "not right" you'll know it before throwing amps at it, like a failing winding will ohm low and you'll know it beforehand.