Speed controller for 3ph motor

[Atlas Knife Company]

I know this has been asked hundreds of times, but here goes: What do I need to control the speed of a 3ph motor on 3ph electric? Can I use a simple SCR on 3PH? OK, maybe it hasn't been asked hundreds of times, but close.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If you have 3 phase power available all you need is a 3PH to 3PH VFD.
Ifvyou have 240VAC 3 phase, used ones are pretty common to find.
If you have 440-480VAC 3PH available, used VFDs are dirt cheap.
If you only have 240VAC single phase, it will cost $400 or so.
Check out ebay.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Thanks, I never thought to look for "3ph drive -1ph". Everything I looked for always included 1ph to 3ph conversion. I've got 200V 3ph here at my shop at work. I can get a clean 240VAC through my 5KVA UPS, but I'd much rather use the 3ph.

Thanks, Stacy!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Not 3Ph - 1 Ph.....you want 3ph - 3 ph. You have three phase power, and the motor runs on three phase. All you need to do is change the frequency to change the speed.

Here are a few examples :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UPDATED-VAR...212?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd2ef0bac
http://www.ebay.com/itm/220V-VARIAB...993?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1ee72431

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

the "-1ph" removes any results containing "1ph" from the list. I fully understand about wanting 3ph - 3ph. I found this one with a dial to be about the cheapest, but the one you listed has 1ph capability which might be nice if I move shops:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321181862153?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Now, I just have to talk myself out of DC.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Gotcha, I was reading the post as 3Ph to 1 Ph, not 3Ph, exclude 1 Ph.

 

[Atlas Knife Company]

Stacy, what are your thoughts on digital up/down versus a dial?

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

From a practical point of view - For what we do, it won't matter. We only are concerned with faster and slower...exact speed or frequency is of no use to most knifemakers, because it makes thier head hurt.

From a technical point of view - It is far less likely for a potentiometer to go bad then it will be for a digital readout and touchpad.

 

[D.Crawford]

Here's a link to the Teco FM50 for 3hp. Single phase in - 3 phase out for a bit under $200.

http://www.factorymation.com/Products/FM50_230V/FM50-203-C.html

No NEMA 4 enclosure on it so you'd want to build a dust proof enclosure as many here have done.

 

[PT Doc]

Here's a link to the Teco FM50 for 3hp. Single phase in - 3 phase out for a bit under $200.

http://www.factorymation.com/Products/FM50_230V/FM50-203-C.html

No NEMA 4 enclosure on it so you'd want to build a dust proof enclosure as many here have done.

zaph has 3ph and wants a controller for it. I don't think he wants 1ph in 3ph out.

 

[PT Doc]

Here's a link to the Teco FM50 for 3hp. Single phase in - 3 phase out for a bit under $200.

http://www.factorymation.com/Products/FM50_230V/FM50-203-C.html

No NEMA 4 enclosure on it so you'd want to build a dust proof enclosure as many here have done.

double post

 

[D.Crawford]

zaph has 3ph and wants a controller for it. I don't think he wants 1ph in 3ph out.

I believe it takes single or triple phase input.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Almost all single phase input VFDs will also run on 3 phase input. That TECO unit will take 3Ph input.