I have a Digital, " Phase Perfect" Phase converter.. Rick C. is aware of it ..
Some folks have some pretty strong feelings lol. about this technology.. but I love it .
I had an electrician wire up a nice set-up for me.. I will include some pictures..
This converter has no motor.. I had the voltage checked and it read 240, 240, 242.. The single phase voltage read 240, 242..
Unlike a VFD, this converter can be used to operate machinery with electromagnetic brakes.. Brakes are more common with European machinery.. An Electromagnetic brake will damage a VFD, if the VFD cant shut down fast enough.
These converters are CNC capable.. Many folks consider them overkill for woodworking machinery, too expensive.. unnecessary etc.. I am saying all this because I have come across some hostile rotary defenders when I discussed this machine..
The reason I like it is because its quiet.. When I go out in the shop, I hit the 100 amp breaker and 8 seconds later, I hear the converter click.. It makes a mild, "whistling" sound .. enough that you remember to turn it off when you leave the shop, but not loud at all.. If I am in the shop for 3 hours, the Converter is on for 3 hours.. It draws 200 watts while waiting and technically never needs to be shut off.. So, I run my 3 phase machinery as simply as I run single phase..
Here are some pictures.
The white box on the wall, left side, that is the converter.. that heavy wire is a #2 awg Aluminium wire, connected to a 100 amp breaker .. The converter will develop about 56 amps of 220V 3 phase power from that ..
One great thing about this machine is that it can be simply plugged into the wall... If you have a 30 amp 220V outlet, you can wire a plug to it and it will generate about 16 - 17 amps.
The panel on the right of the vacuum is a new Siemens 3 phase panel I had installed.. About 10 seconds after I turn on the power, that panel is powered up and ready to distribute power..
As I said, there is no official motor.. There are however cooling fans that come on by themselves.. One thing I have noticed is that after turning the machinery off, the fans will keep running .. I always wait a few minutes for the fan's to stop, before killing the main power to the converter..
The panel has enough space for 6 x 3 phase breakers.. I own 2 x 3 phase tools... so I have room for expansion.. Now that this is all set up, all I need to do is snap in a breaker, run some teck cable, and I am ready to run another machine.. I like that simplicity..
Prior to mounting it on the wall, it sat on the floor behind my jointer.. I would plug it into a 30 amp outlet to run my 3 phase jointer .. I finally acquired another 3 phase tool, so I set it up properly.. I do like the flexibility however..
That converter is rated at 20hp.. It could have taken a 125 amp breaker, which would have allowed it to develop 64 amps.. My biggest motor is 35 amps.. so I didn't see the need in a one man shop..
There are a bunch of ways to run 3 phase machinery .. this is just one way.. People have been running rotaries for 20 years with no problems.. There are issues with Rotaries and running them flat out, or running more than one motor.. While that is true, if you hit the power button on a tool that is already running with this converter, the converter shuts down.. meaning you need to go snap turn the breaker off, and on again.. Everything has its little quirks..