Hi
First time posting here and I got a confusing issue about 1ph and 3ph.
Here's my set-up:
I got a shop with several electrical outlets (exactly like the ones in use in the UK) Three wires - a live, a neutral and an earth. They supply 240V and we get a grand total max of 40 A on these. This we call it single phase and it's the normal household residential supply. Everyone has this supply in each and every house.
I also got larger, round sockets which supply 3 phase - 415 V with 60 A on each phase. Connection is via 5 wires - three live, a neutral and an earth. Not everyone has this supply.
Now I use a normal AC stick welder (buzzbox) powered via 240V but after 10 years I would like to go for an AC/DC TIG and a Plasma Cutter. Never had these before. I dont have the cash for the big brand names but have been eyeing Everlast welders for the past months. In the past they used to sell within US only but now are open to European market. I think they are middle quality with a good price tag.
I narrowed it down to two options:
A) An Everlast PowerTig 250EX which is able to work on either single or 3 phase. The unit has a cable with 4 wires coming out from the rear and there is no selector switch for selecting supply.. The difference is in the way the plug is connected. For 240 Volts, One has to connect 2 live wires and the earth wire to the normal 3-pronged plug. (I assume one of the Live wires acts as the neutral) and then bend the third disconnected remaining live wire and tape it to cable.
For 3-phase, one has to remove the 3-pronged plug and connect the 3 live wires and the earth to a 3 phase plug. Dont ask about the neutral cos I dont know....this is where I'm struggling. There's only 4 wires not 5 that can be connected. And...yes... the operator has to change plug each and every time he wishes to change supply phases. I dont really know a lot on 3 phase and dont know if this unit even needs a neutral.
With this option I still need to purchase a seperate Plasma.
B) A PowerPro 256 which is an AC/DC Tig with incorporated Plasma Cutter. However this works on 400V only plus it is cheaper than Option A + Plasma.
I would prefer The PowerPro256 since it's more portable being just one unit...but then not everyone have 400V supply, so it defeats the portability issue for me.
The PowerTig250Ex can be used provided I change plugs if I will be out in the field...but then I'm starting to realise if I really need 3 phase after all - and here's the question which has been asked hundreds of times but I always found contradicting answers....
DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF 3-PHASE vs SINGLE PHASE ON INVERTER WELDING MACHINES? I understand the 3 phase pros ON ELECTRIC MOTORS but this is different! Are there any REAL advantages to using 3 phase on an inverter Tig? Will the arc be more stable? Will it consume less electricity? Will I get more duty cycle?
Sorry for the long post ...but please help me sleep at night. I've saved a lot for 3 years to spend on the best I could get but cant afford to get it wrong now. I am also willing to spend a wee more if a competent electrician can explain to me why 3 phase would be better - if it is. What do I do?
Thanks boys
First time posting here and I got a confusing issue about 1ph and 3ph.
Here's my set-up:
I got a shop with several electrical outlets (exactly like the ones in use in the UK) Three wires - a live, a neutral and an earth. They supply 240V and we get a grand total max of 40 A on these. This we call it single phase and it's the normal household residential supply. Everyone has this supply in each and every house.
I also got larger, round sockets which supply 3 phase - 415 V with 60 A on each phase. Connection is via 5 wires - three live, a neutral and an earth. Not everyone has this supply.
Now I use a normal AC stick welder (buzzbox) powered via 240V but after 10 years I would like to go for an AC/DC TIG and a Plasma Cutter. Never had these before. I dont have the cash for the big brand names but have been eyeing Everlast welders for the past months. In the past they used to sell within US only but now are open to European market. I think they are middle quality with a good price tag.
I narrowed it down to two options:
A) An Everlast PowerTig 250EX which is able to work on either single or 3 phase. The unit has a cable with 4 wires coming out from the rear and there is no selector switch for selecting supply.. The difference is in the way the plug is connected. For 240 Volts, One has to connect 2 live wires and the earth wire to the normal 3-pronged plug. (I assume one of the Live wires acts as the neutral) and then bend the third disconnected remaining live wire and tape it to cable.
For 3-phase, one has to remove the 3-pronged plug and connect the 3 live wires and the earth to a 3 phase plug. Dont ask about the neutral cos I dont know....this is where I'm struggling. There's only 4 wires not 5 that can be connected. And...yes... the operator has to change plug each and every time he wishes to change supply phases. I dont really know a lot on 3 phase and dont know if this unit even needs a neutral.
With this option I still need to purchase a seperate Plasma.
B) A PowerPro 256 which is an AC/DC Tig with incorporated Plasma Cutter. However this works on 400V only plus it is cheaper than Option A + Plasma.
I would prefer The PowerPro256 since it's more portable being just one unit...but then not everyone have 400V supply, so it defeats the portability issue for me.
The PowerTig250Ex can be used provided I change plugs if I will be out in the field...but then I'm starting to realise if I really need 3 phase after all - and here's the question which has been asked hundreds of times but I always found contradicting answers....
DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF 3-PHASE vs SINGLE PHASE ON INVERTER WELDING MACHINES? I understand the 3 phase pros ON ELECTRIC MOTORS but this is different! Are there any REAL advantages to using 3 phase on an inverter Tig? Will the arc be more stable? Will it consume less electricity? Will I get more duty cycle?
Sorry for the long post ...but please help me sleep at night. I've saved a lot for 3 years to spend on the best I could get but cant afford to get it wrong now. I am also willing to spend a wee more if a competent electrician can explain to me why 3 phase would be better - if it is. What do I do?
Thanks boys