Atom Clicker 3-Phase To 1-Phase Conversion

[Yanni]

I've rung Atom UK, here in England and they sell recondition machines.

The problem is we have not access to 3-Phase in our premises, however Atom UK said they can install an inverter to the clicker

that would convert 1-Phase to 3-Phase for an extra £130( around $200).

Now, I rung a different company and they said do not use any inverters/converters as they will burn the motor!

Wondering who is the right and who is the wrong in this case, can the guys at Atom UK suggesting something that is not correct?

Thanks...

[two crows]

I've rung Atom UK, here in England and they sell recondition machines.

The problem is we have not access to 3-Phase in our premises, however Atom UK said they can install an inverter to the clicker

that would convert 1-Phase to 3-Phase for an extra £130( around $200).

Now, I rung a different company and they said do not use any inverters/converters as they will burn the motor!

Wondering who is the right and who is the wrong in this case, can the guys at Atom UK suggesting something that is not correct?

Thanks...

Hi I have a milling machine and a lathe running on a 3 phase converter. They are on the same converter . You cant run both machines at one time and you loose some power but they work fine for my purpose. This converter is maby 6"x6" x 2" thick. I dont think it cost more than 60 bucks. You can also use a 3 phase generater but thats a hole nother motor and quite expenseve. If I can help you with some info let know.. Mike

[Yanni]

Hi I have a milling machine and a lathe running on a 3 phase converter. They are on the same converter . You cant run both machines at one time and you loose some power but they work fine for my purpose. This converter is maby 6"x6" x 2" thick. I dont think it cost more than 60 bucks. You can also use a 3 phase generater but thats a hole nother motor and quite expenseve. If I can help you with some info let know.. Mike

Thanks Mike, Would it be safer to have a single phase motor installed instead?

[Ferg]

We use a very large converter in our shop. If you only have the one piece of equipment that is three phase, by all means install a single phase.

Make sure you get correct horse power.

ferg

quote name='Yanni' timestamp='1344508719' post='259856']

Thanks Mike, Would it be safer to have a single phase motor installed instead?

[Art]

We use VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) on all our 3-phase equipment. These allow the motors to be run at variable speeds. Our clicker uses one at a fixed speed. VFDs are capable of running the motor at more than intended speed, so be careful, there are also other options like soft start that are helpful. Their price has been coming down in the past few years and options are going up. VFDs de-rate when going from single phase to 3 phase, for instance, we use 3hp VFDs on 2hp motors. Your distributor should have the proper de-rating charts for the VFDs they sell.

Art

[Yanni]

We use VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives) on all our 3-phase equipment. These allow the motors to be run at variable speeds. Our clicker uses one at a fixed speed. VFDs are capable of running the motor at more than intended speed, so be careful, there are also other options like soft start that are helpful. Their price has been coming down in the past few years and options are going up. VFDs de-rate when going from single phase to 3 phase, for instance, we use 3hp VFDs on 2hp motors. Your distributor should have the proper de-rating charts for the VFDs they sell.

Art

Thanks, so I guess this is the sort of thing I need:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3HP-2-2KW-PROFESSIONAL-VARIABLE-FREQUENCY-DRIVE-INVERTER-10A-220-250V-VFD-q8-/180799933238#ht_15215wt_1397

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HIGH-QUALITY-3HP-2-2KW-10A-220-250V-VARIABLE-FREQUENCY-DRIVE-INVERTER-VFD-NEW-e3-/190630271972#ht_14591wt_1146

as opposed to:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRANSWAVE-Static-Converter-2hp-1-5kW-Single-to-3-Three-Phase-240v-to-415v-/150873893447?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item2320c8ea47#ht_4034wt_1397

What machines would require variable speed control?

[Art]

Yes, but make sure you match input and output voltages.

Art

[Dink]

I been using an Atom clicker for about five years and I run mine on a rotary phase converter similar to this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PL-3T-Pro-Line-3HP-Rotary-Phase-Converter-Custom-TEFC-Generator-/290755365940?pt=BI_Electrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item43b25ecc34

This has worked very well, but I see they have come up in price since I got mine. I am also asking this as a question more than a statement, but Where clickers run at a steady speed I do not really know the benefit of a VFD, we use them on wells and other equipment, but the the rotary converter on the clicker seems to work much like a soft start.

Dink

[Itch]

I run a big clicker that is 3 phase..As we only single phase we also use

VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE and it works very well..Just make sure you match the amp draw and a little larger unit is what worked for us..I think that here in the states I paid around 600 dollars for the unit..

[CampbellRandall]

I think the confusion is in what kind of converter to use.

• A static phase coverter is a small box wired in line with the machine. This is the cheap solution, but due to the way it functions (it shares the 2 wires from the single phase source among 3 wires in the machine) you will loose 1/3 to 1/2 of your HP. In other words the machine will not perform to its full potential and you have the possibility of damaging the motor.. I only recommend a static convertor for small load, continuous run motors where you can afford to loose the power.
• A Variable Frequency Drive will work, but only for motors that are rated for the application. A VFD is normally intended to adjust the speed of a motor in a drive system. VFDs are not originally designed to function as phase converters, and you will again loose the HP rating.
• The best solution, but not the cheapest is a Rotary Phase Converter. This will allow your machine perform without and risk of damaging the motor. If you compare the cost of a VFD, a Rotary Converter is not much more.