1 Single Phase Loads on 3 Three Phase Power

circuit 3 phase

One of the most common class of 3 phase load is the 3 phase electric motor. A 3 phase induction motor has a simple design, inherently high starting torque, and high efficiency. 

Such motors are applied in industry for 3 phase pumps, fans, blowers, compressors, conveyor drives, and many other types of motor-driven equipment. There are a lot of benefits to using a 3 phase motor over a 1-phase electric motor. A 3 phase motor is more compact and less costly than a 1-phase motor of the same voltage class and rating; also 1-phase AC motors above 10 HP (7.5 kW) are not as efficient and thus not usually manufactured. Large air conditioning equipment (for example, most air conditioning units above 2.5 tons (8.8 kW) cooling capacity) use 3 phase motors for reasons of economy and efficiency. Read more about 3 phase power loads below.

circuit 1 phase

Because of the benefits of 3 phase power it is often preferred to use 3 phase even when it is not convenient. Even when it is convenient there are reasons to want to generate your own 3 phase power onsite with a 3 phase generating rotary phase converter that will run on a single phase supply line. The biggest benefit of generating your own 3 phase power in this way is that you can control the quality of the 3 phase. The four most obvious desirable qualities for 3 phase power that you can achieve with a quality Rotary Phase converter are; reducing spikes and sags, controlling the power factor, 3 balanced phases, and a smooth 3 phase wave form. Each of these qualities of 3 phase are essential and will allow your 3 phase equipment to operate properly and extend the life of operating years. Read below for more details on these solutions.

Often the advantages of three-phase power for motors and other 3 phase equipment make it worthwhile to convert single-phase to three phase power. Rural business or farm properties, and urban residential area power consumers, may not have access to a 3 phase supply, or may not want to pay for the extra cost of a 3 phase service, but may still wish to use three-phase equipment. Some of such 3 phase converters may also allow the frequency (see also frequency converters) to be varied allowing for different equipment frequency requirements (50Hz, 60Hz, 400Hz, etc.) and also for motor speed control (VFDs). Some locomotives are driven by 3-phase motors with 3 phase converters converted from the incoming supply of either DC or 1 phase AC. The two main types of 1 phase to 3 phase converters are Rotary Phase Converters and Static Phase Converters. Read below for more about 3 phase converters.

There is a big difference between phase converter types available on the market today. Most 3 phase converters sold by companies today do not produce actual balanced 3 phase power. This is why is very important to select a 3 phase generating phase converter which will run on single phase power and generate true balanced smooth 3 phase power. Below is a comparison of several technologies available today.