Got some 3 phase equipment that followed me home, and needing to upgrade the electrical in my shop to run it.
The main concern is powering the lathe:
American 1610 Lathe 15HP wired for 440 currently
I would say over time I would plan to acquire additional machine tools, but likely just a Bridgeport, maybe a larger compressor. This would just be me building things for "fun" so not a production setting.
Other parts I have that are relevant
25KVA dry transformer 440->220 single phase (qty 3 available)
50HP 3ph motor
25HP 3ph motor
7.5HP *1200 rpm 3ph motor
My shop was built by me with 200 amp dedicated single phase service that is wired up to welder/compressor/plasma outlets in various locations. I am comfortable with doing any of the wiring, but the 440 has me a little apprehensive. All the 600 volt rated parts seem hugely expensive and less available outside of 9:5 commercial supply house, plus the perceived arc flash goblin.
The potential setup I am thinking of running based on the parts I have acquired:
100 amp circuit -> back feed transformer -> Fused disconnect -> DIY 440 volt rotary phase converter with 25 HP motor -> 440 volt power distribution as
needed.
Slightly worried that the 25HP might not be enough to start the lathe, but I think I would rig it up pony started to just to try with no caps etc first.
Am I better off to rewire/repower the lathe to 220V seeing as I do not need the HP? I would just switch it as is, but the internal wiring is only 10 awg so I feel like I would have to drop down to a 7.5 HP motor maximum to not have to completely redo it. The main contactor says 15HP @ 220V
Is there a perceived advantage to having 440 3 phase available vs 220V? Cheaper machines at auctions etc? I understand the smaller wire gauge for power distribution, but is that really it? I don't feel like I will "need" it for anything I can think of but I am just getting started on machine tools...
What would people that have likely changed setups several times start with? 440 single phase and VFD everything? 220V rotary converter? Full 440v panel setup with RPC? simple rpc pony started?
Thanks!
The main concern is powering the lathe:
American 1610 Lathe 15HP wired for 440 currently
I would say over time I would plan to acquire additional machine tools, but likely just a Bridgeport, maybe a larger compressor. This would just be me building things for "fun" so not a production setting.
Other parts I have that are relevant
25KVA dry transformer 440->220 single phase (qty 3 available)
50HP 3ph motor
25HP 3ph motor
7.5HP *1200 rpm 3ph motor
My shop was built by me with 200 amp dedicated single phase service that is wired up to welder/compressor/plasma outlets in various locations. I am comfortable with doing any of the wiring, but the 440 has me a little apprehensive. All the 600 volt rated parts seem hugely expensive and less available outside of 9:5 commercial supply house, plus the perceived arc flash goblin.
The potential setup I am thinking of running based on the parts I have acquired:
100 amp circuit -> back feed transformer -> Fused disconnect -> DIY 440 volt rotary phase converter with 25 HP motor -> 440 volt power distribution as
needed.
Slightly worried that the 25HP might not be enough to start the lathe, but I think I would rig it up pony started to just to try with no caps etc first.
Am I better off to rewire/repower the lathe to 220V seeing as I do not need the HP? I would just switch it as is, but the internal wiring is only 10 awg so I feel like I would have to drop down to a 7.5 HP motor maximum to not have to completely redo it. The main contactor says 15HP @ 220V
Is there a perceived advantage to having 440 3 phase available vs 220V? Cheaper machines at auctions etc? I understand the smaller wire gauge for power distribution, but is that really it? I don't feel like I will "need" it for anything I can think of but I am just getting started on machine tools...
What would people that have likely changed setups several times start with? 440 single phase and VFD everything? 220V rotary converter? Full 440v panel setup with RPC? simple rpc pony started?
Thanks!