Jon_Spear
Hot Rolled
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2004
- Location
- San Francisco, CA
I have a static phase converter, which I bought when I got my first three-phase machine, a Bridgeport mill.
I am adding a VFD to another machine. I think the VFD (brand is GE) is rated for 3HP, and is supposed to have 3 phase power input.
At first, I just connected the VFD in the same way that I connected the Bridgeport mill, in parallel with the lines coming from the static phase converter. The VFD worked OK, except for when I would turn another machine on or off. Then it would give an error message, from the input power surge.
As a test, I just disconnected the leg that is generated by the static pahse converter, to see if the VFD would work with single phase input. I was pleasantly surprised that it does seem to work now. Furthermore, I can simplify wiring by not using the 4-wire twistlock connectors, and keep the simple (#12 AWG 3-conductor wire with 220VAC single phase input).
My question is, should I have any worries about damaging the VFD and/or motor by doing this? I have read a couple of posts about derating a VFD that is run on single phase power, but I don't quite understand how that works. Is there a general rule of thumb for this sort of thing? The manual that came with the VFD did not mention anything about wiring it for single phase power.
Can a person use single phase power for any VFD that is labelled for 3-phase power input?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge,
Jon
I am adding a VFD to another machine. I think the VFD (brand is GE) is rated for 3HP, and is supposed to have 3 phase power input.
At first, I just connected the VFD in the same way that I connected the Bridgeport mill, in parallel with the lines coming from the static phase converter. The VFD worked OK, except for when I would turn another machine on or off. Then it would give an error message, from the input power surge.
As a test, I just disconnected the leg that is generated by the static pahse converter, to see if the VFD would work with single phase input. I was pleasantly surprised that it does seem to work now. Furthermore, I can simplify wiring by not using the 4-wire twistlock connectors, and keep the simple (#12 AWG 3-conductor wire with 220VAC single phase input).
My question is, should I have any worries about damaging the VFD and/or motor by doing this? I have read a couple of posts about derating a VFD that is run on single phase power, but I don't quite understand how that works. Is there a general rule of thumb for this sort of thing? The manual that came with the VFD did not mention anything about wiring it for single phase power.
Can a person use single phase power for any VFD that is labelled for 3-phase power input?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge,
Jon