Degull
Aluminum
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2014
- Location
- Toronto Canada
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I plan on installing a VFD on my newly acquired FP2. I have 1 phase 230V available (Canada). I am not sure where to start. I have attached a picture of the motor name plate. It looks like a 550V 3HP motor. Do I need a VFD that will output 550V?
Typically a VFD will output the same voltage (or less) than the input. So for example a 3-phase 230V motor can be powered from a VFD which in turn is powered from a 230V single phase line.
In your case you will need a transformer to step up your 230V single phase to 550 or 575V single phase, then a VFD which can convert that single phase to three phase at 550 or 575. Unfortunately all the 575V VFDs that I know require three phase power as input.
One other possibility: your motor may have the option to run it wired either delta or star (internally). The higher voltage configuration would then be star (or Y or Wye) at 550V and the lower voltage delta configuration would be run from 550/sqrt(3) = 317 volts. Unfortunately I can't read the nameplate in your photo to see if it can be wired in either configuration. If it can be wired delta at 317 volts then you could also get a 230V to 380V transformer (very common) and run this from a 380 or 400 volt VFD IF you can find a 380 or 400V VFD with a single-phase input. But again, I don't know of any.
Most economical might be to get the motor rewound at a motor shop to run from 230V 3-phase. Or replacing the motor with a 230V 3-phase one. Then you can use a VFD like this: https://dealerselectric.com/L510-201-H1-U-OPENBOX.asp
I suggest you contact Dealers Electric (link above). I have purchased 3 VFDs from them. They have low prices and fast service and have been very helpful. Email them a photo of the nameplate then give them a call.
PS: there is a forum on PM exactly for these kinds of questions:
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/transformers-phase-converters-and-vfd/
Thank so much for your help, you have helped me so many times, I can't say thanks enough.
I would prefer to have my motor rewound (cheaper), but do you think it would be better to bite the bullet and buy a new 3 phase 230V motor?
But wondering why its not possible or OK to step up the output of the VFD......A transformer really doesn't interrupt the output... Why isn't it Ok to just step up the 220 output to feed the 550v motor?
Cheers Ross
But wondering why its not possible or OK to step up the output of the VFD......A transformer really doesn't interrupt the output... Why isn't it Ok to just step up the 220 output to feed the 550v motor?
If a suitable 3-phase transformer is at hand, that would be a simple solution. BUT note that the transformer will only work correctly at the design frequency (nominally 60 Hz in North America). So you would lose the ability to change output frequency and motor speed: the VFD would have to be left at 60 Hz.
We're talking about a pairs of coils right?
Really? Somehow, I can't believe that.
We're talking about a pairs of coils right? Inductance right? Nobody told the coils to work only at a specific frequency, they don't know about that. They just conduct alternating currents that create a varying magnetic field that induces another current in the other coil.
Jacques
Notice
This website or its third-party tools process personal data (e.g. browsing data or IP addresses) and use cookies or other identifiers, which are necessary for its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. To learn more, please refer to the cookie policy. In case of sale of your personal information, you may opt out by sending us an email via our Contact Us page. To find out more about the categories of personal information collected and the purposes for which such information will be used, please refer to our privacy policy. You accept the use of cookies or other identifiers by closing or dismissing this notice, by scrolling this page, by clicking a link or button or by continuing to browse otherwise.