3-phase to single phase

Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article





	Today's Sponsors: 3M Corporation 5 Star Tooling A Brazilian Wood Depot Abrasive Resource Accu-Right Squareness Gauge Accu-Router, Inc. AceCo Precision Wood Tooling Activa Active Machine & Tool Air Cleaning Systems Air Handling Systems Aktrin Furniture Information Center Alan McIlvain Company Algoma Lumber Co. All Star Adhesives Alliance Millsoft Allied Machinery Inc. AllRout Amana Tool Ameitech South American Fabric Filter Co. American Institute of Building Design American National Woodworking Knife American Rotary Converters Anchorbeam Timberworks Andreou Machinery ANEST IWATA USA, Inc. Antique Building Materials Anver Corporation Apollo Sprayers Inc. Arbor Processing Inc. Architectural Elements ArtCam ATEMAG Atlantic Machinery Corp. Auton Motorized Systems AWFS B.H. Davis Company Bailey's Inc. Bainbridge Manufacturing Baker Products Banks Hardwoods Barn Detail Barn Door Lumber BC Wood Specialties Group Beaver Tools Benz Incorporated Berenson Hardware Best Cabinets BetterVacuumcups.com Biesse Group America Biewer Lumber Binks Black Bros. Co. Blackhawk Machinery Brazilian Direct Ltd. Brown Wood Products Co. Byrd Tool C.R. Onsrud Cab Parts Cabinet Door Service Co. Cabinet Pro CabinetCRUNCHER Cutlist & 3D Cabinet Design Software Cabinetmakers Association CABPARTSPRO CAD CAM for the Home and Small Shop CADCode Cag Lumber Camco, Inc. Carbide.com Carolina Woodworking Consultants Carter Products Carvewright Carving Technologies Cash Coatings Castle Catskill Timber Industries Central Hardwoods Charles G.G. Schmidt Co. Chicago Dowel Company, Inc.

WOODWEB DISCLAIMS any and all RESPONSIBILITY and LIABILITY for the accuracy and application of the information below. Readers agree to evaluate the significance and limitations of the information provided, and accept full responsibility for the application of this information. Read More ...

Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?

3-phase to single phase Is it possible to convert 3-phase equipment to single-phase power? March 20, 2001

Q.
I have an opportunity to purchase a 16" 5 HP Power Mate planer, but it is 3-phase. Can I convert it to single phase?

Forum Responses
It is easy to convert single phase to 3-phase to run the planer. You can usually find phase converters used or buy a new one. You can also make your own with another 3-phase motor.

I converted my old Coronet Major lathe, from single phase to 3-phase, so I could control the speed for spindle/bowl work. It was expensive. I am glad I did it using a converter, which can also control direction and braking!

It is pretty easy to convert single-phase power for use by your 3-phase equipment. It can be a static starter only or a rotary converter. It is not the motor itself that is converted, but the supplied power that one converts.

Woodworking tools such as planers and saws are more demanding than metal tools because they usually require a higher percentage of available torque from the work motor. For this reason, it is advisable to build your phase converter from a high-speed (3600) 3-phase motor, at least as large as the work motor. Bigger wouldn't hurt.

This is done frequently. It's much cheaper than buying commercial units. I have been using phase converted power for 30 plus years in my machine shop.

Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?

KnowledgeBase: Business: Plant Management

KnowledgeBase: Solid Wood Machining

KnowledgeBase: Solid Wood Machining: General

KnowledgeBase: Solid Wood Machining: Setup and Maintenance

KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous

KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous: Accessories

KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous: Tool Maintenance

KnowledgeBase: Woodworking Miscellaneous: Woodworking

KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to review our Forum Guidelines.

Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

Return to beginning of article.

Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy

Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

Copyright © 1996-2008 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

WOODWEB, Inc.
RR4 Box 265A
Montrose, PA 18801

Contact WOODWEB