Three Phase Power and Welding

[AndyMA]

Hmmm, you're correct, but I'm sure the coop told me 26 kw. I'm wondering now if that was a coop imposed limit? They also told me $48k to string wire down the road for 3 phase several years ago.

Here in Conn we have plenty of 200,400,600 & even a few 800Amp 240V single phase services.

Andy
Utility Engineer

 

[Fallon]

A phase converter, rotary or otherwise won't be able to output any more power (watts) than you put into it. Add in conversion losses & you'll be worse off.

Not clear if you are talking about a welder or something else. I couldn't speak to the value on the conversion making a welder any smoother as I'm not much of a welder & never used a 3 phase machine.

Are you currently running a 3 phase machine off single phase? That's the only scenario that could benefit besides the smooth output thing. Or having a 3 phase only machine around that you can't use without 3 phase.

 

[chim]

...Which would include 208 3 phase on the higher line...thus my point.

Oops. Misinterpreted the chart notations.

 

[yomax4]

A phase converter, rotary or otherwise won't be able to output any more power (watts) than you put into it. Add in conversion losses & you'll be worse off.

Not clear if you are talking about a welder or something else. I couldn't speak to the value on the conversion making a welder any smoother as I'm not much of a welder & never used a 3 phase machine.

Are you currently running a 3 phase machine off single phase? That's the only scenario that could benefit besides the smooth output thing. Or having a 3 phase only machine around that you can't use without 3 phase.

I have a High end Tig welder that will put out 300 amps on 3ph but it only does 200A on 1ph. I have a Mig unit that is the same. 400A on 3ph / 320A on 1ph. Not that I need the power on Mig but Tig welding it could sometimes help on thicker Aluminum. I was just curious if the converters were worth messing with.

 

[Fallon]

I have a High end Tig welder that will put out 300 amps on 3ph but it only does 200A on 1ph. I have a Mig unit that is the same. 400A on 3ph / 320A on 1ph. Not that I need the power on Mig but Tig welding it could sometimes help on thicker Aluminum. I was just curious if the converters were worth messing with.

The only advantage there would be smoothness or what not. With 3 phase you are splitting up the power across multiple cables rather than just 1 (ignoring the neutral part of the equation). That means you can get more wattage across smaller cables, although you have more of them. It's easier & more efficient at higher wattage to run 3 phase with smaller wires. But converting from single to 3 phase means you'll need a beefier wiring & a phase converter. You won't gain any watts on the input side of the equation. The machine could handle more watts though.

 

[dstig1]

Yomax, if you really needed it, you could get an oversize converter, run it on a very large single phase circuit, and be able to generate the full power from your welder, I believe. I would bet that would do the trick, but it would be very costly to do so. I'm also not sure how the generated phase being different than line 3 phase would affect the welder, if at all.

 

[Big Barn]

Or just give the welder to a needy, good looking but somewhat neurotic Canadian farmer who has 3 phase power.

 

[yomax4]

Or just give the welder to a needy, good looking but somewhat neurotic Canadian farmer who has 3 phase power.

I'll send you a few. Border open on July 21st? I think.

 

[yomax4]

Good Info on the Phase Converter. Thanks Much !

 

[Big Barn]

I'll send you a few. Border open on July 21st? I think.

I’m not certain