Single To 3 Phase Convertors

[boltonsparky]

I have a customer who has bought a second hand 3 phase dishwasher but only has a single phase supply in their restaurant.

Would a 3 phase convertor (providing it has the correct power output for the dishwasher) be a safe longterm solution or are the convertors only designed for temporary or occasional use rather than daily use?

I have no experience of these convertors so any help from anyone with prior experience/knowledge of them would be much appreciated.   

 

[Manator]

If the machine will run on single phase you should be able to link out at the connection. The convertors you mention are designed for permanant use so they should be OK. Remember that the run cycle will be increased and use more energy than it would if 3 phase.

 

[Sidewinder]

bolton,

I had a customer who ran his whole woodworking shop off one daily, so they can be used, but, they need correct sizing and design of both sides of the supply.

Remember that you don't get owt for nowt, & I would go for a rotary, though they are very noisy in such an environment it would be noticeable, in a wood shop above the machines not so.

The incoming current is HIGH to get the outgoing requirements.

I would NEVER recommend it to a client.

I would always recommend that they use a single phase machine or get a 3 phase supply.

The only ones I have ever used have been Transwave.

http://www.powercapacitors.co.uk/Transwave.html

HTH

 

[ProDave]

I would be inclined as Manator suggests, to see if the dishwasher can be converted to single phase operation. You might need to contact the manufacturer, or google for the circuit diagram or service manual.

A lot of big range cookers for instance can be set for single or 3 phase supply. As long as it's only heating elelments it might be possible to convert your dishwasher but if they have stuck a 3 phase motor in it, you are stuffed.

 

[boltonsparky]

Thanks for the info guys. I'll advise them accordingly and look into converting the dishwasher into single phase rather than using the external 3 phase converter.

 

[Manator]

bolton,

I had a customer who ran his whole woodworking shop off one daily, so they can be used, but, they need correct sizing and design of both sides of the supply.

Remember that you don't get owt for nowt, & I would go for a rotary, though they are very noisy in such an environment it would be noticeable, in a wood shop above the machines not so.

The incoming current is HIGH to get the outgoing requirements.

I would NEVER recommend it to a client.

I would always recommend that they use a single phase machine or get a 3 phase supply.

The only ones I have ever used have been Transwave.

http://www.powercapacitors.co.uk/Transwave.html

HTH

Thanks Sidewinder I forgot about that little nugget of info.

 

[Marvo]

If the motor is 3-phase, depending on its kilowatt rating, you could run it on a relatively cheap VFD with a single phase 230v input and a 3-phase output. Installing a converter to run the elements would be expensive but the elements could easily be reconfigured for single phase operation (unless by some slim chance they're 420v tubes) but they're often 230v tubes which are just balanced across the 3 phases with a common Neutral connection.