3 Phase to 1 Phase Plug

[angman]

Hi Guys!
Just a quick one!A friend of me he has a spare 3 Phase 380V Kemppi MasterTig inverter.Is there anyway that I maybe able to use this kind of machine in a Single Phase 230 or 240V plug 20 Amp?Could I purchase a component like a transformer that will allow me to do so!
Many Thanks

 

[dai]

Hi Guys!
Just a quick one!A friend of me he has a spare 3 Phase 380V Kemppi MasterTig inverter.Is there anyway that I maybe able to use this kind of machine in a Single Phase 230 or 240V plug 20 Amp?Could I purchase a component like a transformer that will allow me to do so!
Many Thanks

not without much expence

 

[tigler]

Unless it has internal provision for running on single phase by changing a link or voltage selector then the simple answer is no.

 

[angman]

Dai could you please let me know what will be need for?
Tigler I don't think so that there is an internal provision in this machine!
I assume I need something externally like a transformer?Not know the cost.The actual machine worth something like £1000 to 1500.

 

[tigler]

There is a way to convert single phase to 3 phase with a transformer, but not one that is available off the shelf ! It would have to be custom made using a rewound three phase transformer. Not an easy task and thats after a suitable core has been found.
This something I intend to do to supply my home workshop with 3 phase, I have a set of DVD's showing how to do it from a guy in the USA who has done it 100% successfully and demonstrates it accordingly. Not something that can be done on a Saturday afternoon though !

 

[boydy1989]

You are implying one of these, which is NOT suited to your application. (edit...)

(note - this was used in the theatre and i don't recommend its use for ANY garage equipment... )

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hang on a minute, don't give the OP silly ideas, that connector is no earthly use whatsoever.
Connecting plugs and sockets cannot increase the input voltage.
The machine in question is 3 phase 380v, he wants to run it off a single phase 230v supply.
If it's not 'jumperable' for different input voltages (which I doubt it is) then it ain't gonna happen.
Rotary phase converter is the best way but one to run a a welder will cost ££shedloads so it's really not a viable option.

 

[boydy1989]

i hadn't spotted the 380v part of it - a good point!

this connector was used to run a 3 phase dimmer pack in a town hall - a very different application to the welder.

I looked at rotary phase converters out of curiosity a while ago, and came to a similar conclusion - for one big enough they are expensive.

 

[tigler]

The 3 phase converter transformer I mentioned above is the ideal solution, no moving parts, no electronics and almost no quiescent current when not in use. It uses a specially wound three phase transformer with capacitors to provide the phase shift.
Works like magic ! The only rub is the transformer is slightly tricky to wind. I got the tip from a guy in the UK who has done it to his complete satisfaction.

 

[dai]

There is a way to convert single phase to 3 phase with a transformer, but not one that is available off the shelf ! It would have to be custom made using a rewound three phase transformer. Not an easy task and thats after a suitable core has been found.
This something I intend to do to supply my home workshop with 3 phase, I have a set of DVD's showing how to do it from a guy in the USA who has done it 100% successfully and demonstrates it accordingly. Not something that can be done on a Saturday afternoon though !

Hang on a minute, don't give the OP silly ideas, that connector is no earthly use whatsoever.
Connecting plugs and sockets cannot increase the input voltage.
The machine in question is 3 phase 380v, he wants to run it off a single phase 230v supply.
If it's not 'jumperable' for different input voltages (which I doubt it is) then it ain't gonna happen.
Rotary phase converter is the best way but one to run a a welder will cost ££shedloads so it's really not a viable option.

Dai could you please let me know what will be need for?
Tigler I don't think so that there is an internal provision in this machine!
I assume I need something externally like a transformer?Not know the cost.The actual machine worth something like £1000 to 1500.

what they said^^^

 

[angman]

Thank you all Guys! Woz you put the things in an order there.Tigler you have a point there!I have to do a Ebay search see if I could find something cheap around.

Enjoy your afternoon Guys!!!

 

[hareng]

3ph convertors and inverters come in an array of configurations, you need to find out the current draw in 3ph 380V.
Inverters are usually rated to the motor they intend running in KW or HP.

Static convertor will run out of steam, on a motor this will give the impression of juddering.
Rotary is a lot better but constantly uses electric to run a motor to generate that 3rd ph. Dreadfully noisy cant hear yourself think. Also same price if not dearer than a digital invertor.
Digital inverter you would want three times the rated KW power in plug and play.

 

[graffian]

So who needs 15kva transformer?

 

[steviec_lj]

You are implying one of these, which is NOT suited to your application. (edit...)

(note - this was used in the theatre and i don't recommend its use for ANY garage equipment... )

Quite a scary device you've got going on there. Shouldn't have been used in the first place really as there is absolutely no protection on the cables between connectors.

Granted, they get used everywhere in the entertainment industry and theyre not quite as common as the widow-maker (32a socket to 2x 13a plug) but they're just as dangerous in my opinion.

 

[boydy1989]

Agreed!

It wasn't any of my kit, a hire company turned up with it, and the biggest problem we had was that the entire building only had a 30amp supply to it... These were used x4 to power 4 dimmers, with just a couple of lights attached to each.

In this case, all properly calculated and operated by knowledgable people. However, in the wrong hands...

I found a propper widow maker not that long ago - a lead with a male 16amp connector on both ends... Why? Who knows. It very quickly got a connector taken off it.

 

[Robotstar5]

I found a 13A plugtop to 16A red 5 pole socket at work, was supplied by the manufacturer of our old Metrotest PAT tester! although it did have a label stating "only to be used with tester" on it.