Re: 3-Phase motor running from Single Phase Supply ?

Hi,

you don't need to get overly complicated. Suffice it to say you
cannot afford to get 3 phase from the power company.

You can buy a 3 phase converter. They make an electronic converter
that takes single phase in and outputs 3 phase. MANY shops use this
to run 3 hp Bridgeports.

Lathes would be better off by using a rotary converter, more money,
but better sine wave output for more even power.

Expect about $125 US for a 5 hp electronic and near $300 for a rotary.

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., Matt Shaver <mshaver@e...> wrote:
> Chris Hellyar wrote:
> > Is it a major task to get 3 phase in some other parts of the
world where
> > people are posting from?
>
> In the US, 3 phase power is generally only available to industrial
> areas. If you wanted it in a residence, you would have to pay the
entire
> cost of stringing up the power lines from wherever the nearest 3
phase
> power was to your location. As most power companies are unionized,
just
> the labor alone could run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Even if
> you were willing to pay the cost, the next problem you'll have is
from
> the zoning authorities. I don't know how things work in NZ, but in
the
> US different areas are designated for different uses such as
residential
> (houses), commercial (stores), and industrial (machine shops, etc.).
> It's illegal in most areas to have machine shop in your home, if
you do
> work for hire. If you're strictly a hobbyist, that's probably OK, as
> long as the neighbors don't complain about the noise, smell, or
tractor
> trailers delivering steel and machinery to your house. The local
zoning
> board (which would find out about your 3 phase power installation
from
> the permit you would need for the electrical work) might get the
idea
> that having three phase power puts your operation beyond
the "hobbyist
> class". Also, the inspector that comes to check the wiring might
rat you
> out to the zoning department if he looks around at your shop and
thinks
> you've got some type of business going in your home. The worst case
is
> that they take you to court, fine you a couple grand, and force you
to
> get rid of your machinery.
>
> All that said, I know of lots of machine shops in houses (mostly
small
> commercial job shops ;) ). They "get away with it" by keeping a low
> profile and camouflaging their operation as best they can. As an
> example, I never leave my garage door open because I don't want
anyone
> to see my machines and decide to notify the authorities. Actually, I
> live in an older neighborhood and my neighbors could care less what
I do
> (and I, them), but in the newer neighborhoods that have community
> organizations and restrictive covenants (rules you have to follow
such
> as what color you are allowed to paint your front door), you could
have
> real trouble.
>
> In short, yes, it's a major task.
>
> Matt (who lives in the land of the free, sort of...)