
Rotary Phase Converter Motor

Rotary Phase Converters produce Alternating Current (AC) electric power to operate three-phase equipment such as motors, resistive and inductive loads. By acting as a rotating generator, rotary phase converters transform the singe-phase energy supply into three-phase power. Rotary phase converter equipment uses a single-phase two-line supply of power from the utility and creates a third line of power. The three lines, or phases, are indistinguishable to utility three-phase power and usually more accurate than utility-supplied three-phase power.
When the rotary phase converter is properly sized, it will produce three-phase power with each of the three output voltages well balanced over the entire range of connected loads. By balancing the output, the phase converter an be used on any type of equipment, especially voltage sensitive equipment such as PLCs, EDMs, milling machines, lathes and any other type of equipment that relies on balanced power input.
Rotary Phase Converters are rated using the maximum horsepower that they can handle. Due to the consistent voltage balance, the electric motor will operate at or near its full horsepower capacity when utilized with a three-phase rotary converter.
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FAQs
What is a static phase converter?
A static phase converter is an electronic device used to convert single-phase power into three-phase power. Static phase converters are primarily employed in situations where three-phase power is required but only single-phase power is available.
Motor Starters, Soft Starters and VFDs
Motor Starters
Motor starters safely start and stop a motor in industrial applications. They are designed with a contactor, overload and circuit protection. They are used when basic motor control is required, where torque on the motor is not a concern and speed control is not needed. The advantages of motor starters include: lower cost, allows for remote operation, allows for monitoring of motor state (with the use of auxiliary contacts) and they are safe and efficient. The disadvantages include: high inrush current that can cause fuses to blow and breakers to trip if the inrush is too high, and the starter will allow a full torque to start the motor which can cause the motor to ramp up to full speed very quickly potentially causing the motor to wear and degrade prematurely.
Soft Starters
Soft starters protect motors from inrush current by gently ramping up the motor to full speed. They provide all of the same functions as a traditional motor starter. The advantages of soft starters include: they are less expensive than a VFD when only startup control is needed, they are a smaller system than a VFD where space is a concern and they prevent unwanted torque upon startup, prolonging the life of the motor. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive than a traditional motor starter and they do not allow for full speed control.
VFDs
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) allows for the slow ramp up of a motor during startup and the slowing down of the motor during shutdown. It also allows for full speed control during the entire run cycle of the motor. VFDs provide the same functions as both the traditional motor starters and soft starters. The advantages of VFDs include: full speed control (start, stop and in-between), more custom control and monitoring, energy savings due to efficient motor usage and less wear and tear on the motors. The disadvantages include: they are more expensive and larger than other motor control options and they generate heat that may require fans or AC units.