Request Information
  • For long heavy starting loads, instant reversing, momentarily overloaded motors, or imported equipment, contact factory or refer to application guidelines RTNKW.
  • Multiple motor applications: Due to the high in-rush current required to start a motor (5 to 10 times the normal running current), most applications require sizing the kW of the Rotary Converter 100% larger, or more than the kW rating of the largest motor, or any combination of motors started at exactly the same time. The first motor started, if not running heavily loaded, generates additional 3-phase power back into the circuit. You can then run additional motors (not heavily loaded and not all started at the same time).
  • Causes no interference to computer, television, or radio equipment.
Unit of Measure

Brands

 N/A Phase-A-Matic™
Maximum KW Output1 N/A 37 kW

Largest Motor HP

 N/A 35 HP

Approximate Idle Current

 N/A 15 A

Disconnect Switch Time Delay Fuse Current

 N/A 150 A

NEMA Starter Size

 N/A 4

Starter Current

 N/A 125 A
Minimum Single-Phase Supply Current2 N/A 200 A

Shipping Width

 N/A 31 in

Shipping Height

 N/A 24 in

Shipping Depth

 N/A 25 in

Shipping Weight

 N/A 600 lb273 kg

Warranty

 N/A 4 y

Type

 N/A Phase

Additional Information

 N/A 400-480 Volt 50 Hz "KW" Series Rotary Phase Converter for world-wide use.

Uses Include

 N/A Farm equipment, water pumps, metalworking and woodworking equipment, compressors, elevators, printing equipment, food processing equipment, computers, sewing machines, air conditioners, hoists, extractors, wheel balancers, EDM machines, rectifiers, lasers, conveyors and just about any 3-phase equipment. For CNC/PLC equipment use our CNC Package Phase Converter. Ask for our CNC PAC™ brochure.

Important

 N/A This chart is simplified and cannot reflect the many types of applications possible.

Caution

 N/A Converters are intended for use in clean, dry locations with access to an adequate supply of cooling air. In addition, there should be protection from, or avoidance of, flammable or combustible materials in the area of converters as they can eject flame and/or metal in the event of an insulation failure.

Note

 N/A Also available in weatherproof models
Prepaid - Does not include shipping and tax.
For sizes above 55 kW, contact Phase-A-Matic™, Inc.
All Prices Shown F.O.B. Palmdale, CA., USA.

Features

 N/A
  • Runs 400 V 50 Hz Three-Phase Equipment from 400 V 50 Hz Single-Phase Power Source
  • Heavily Loaded Applications
  • Quiet Operation
  • Simple Installation
  • Multi-Motor Operation
  • Multi-Speed Applications
  • Resistive Load Applications
  • No Changing Motors or Switch Gear

N/A

Why buy the Phase-A-Matic™, Inc. Rotary Converter?


Reliability, quality and construction of the Phase-A-Matic™ Rotary Phase Converter:

Baldor Electric/Phase-A-Matic™ Design

The rotary portion of our converter is proprietary, custom built to our specifications by Baldor Electric, one of the largest and most trusted motor manufacturers in the world, with warranty stations nationwide and worldwide. It is a true phase converter and not a modified electric motor as most of our competitors use. Many years of testing, changing and developing the converter in conjunction with Baldor’s engineers has produced a very simple and trouble-free converter with extremely low idle current and low noise level. Many of our customers confirm that our rotary converters are the quietest and most trouble-free available.

Simplicity of design; uses all soldered connections

Keeping the design exceptionally simple reduces the risk of electrical connection failure to almost zero since these are some of the most common causes of failure. We use only soldered connections with no mechanical electrical connections like spade clips, terminals or screws which can vibrate loose or corrode over time. There are no start capacitors, relays or contactors with connections which can come loose or arc and weld the contacts causing failure of the contactor and the start capacitors, and perhaps even the rotary converter or your equipment. Because of this we do not have circuit board failures caused by spikes generated by the magnetic contactors as some of our competitors do.

The Rotor

The Phase-A-Matic™ failure rate is practically zero because the rotors are specifically designed and manufactured for rotary converter use. However, some of our competitors emphasize that rotors often fail. This is because they machine standard electric motors, modifying and thereby weakening standard electric motor rotors, which were not originally designed to be used as a phase converter.

Testing before shipment

Every converter is performance tested before shipment and assigned a serial number. These records are kept for review if any questions should ever arise about the performance specifications.

Warranty Repairs

The most likely warranty repair would be bearings or windings, which are very rare. This type of failure is much less than 1%, and if it is going to happen at all, most likely would occur within the first 12 months. Failures after that are extremely rare. See MTBF below.

MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure)

Failure rate (MTBF) is so low it's almost impossible to determine. We find that within the first 12 months approximately 1 in 150 might have a problem, and usually within a few weeks or months. After the first 12 months, it might be one or less in 5,000 over a 30 year period. We continue to hear of our Rotary Converters that have been in service for 25 or 30 years, and which are still working flawlessly. It could go on to do another 25 or 30 years. There is very little to go wrong with the Rotary Converter.

Call Phase-A-Matic™, Inc. 1-800-962-6976 for warranty repair stations in your area.

Uses include: metalworking and woodworking equipment, farm/agricultural equipment, pumps, compressors, refrigeration, elevators, printing machines, rectifiers, lasers, radar, EDM machines, MRI, tanning booths, transmitters, welders, conveyors, hydraulic pumps, flywheels, ovens, dough mixers, laundry machines, and virtually every type of 3-phase machine, including CNC/PLC equipment, when used with the Phase-A-Matic™ Voltage Stabilizer.

SIZING HELPS:

Refer to Application Notes - additionally available in PDF form as RTNKW. Help is also available through the Sizing Assistance page. Just fill out the appropriate form and submit it to us. A qualified technician from Phase-A-Matic™, Inc. will contact you.

For long heavy starting loads, instant reversing or momentarily overloaded motors (laundry extractors, paper cutters, air conditioners, hoists, lathes, Taiwanese, Chinese & foreign motors, design "E" motors, etc.) contact factory and/or refer to SIZING HELPS above.

Multiple motor applications: Due to the high in-rush current required to start a motor, which can be as much as 5 to 10 times the normal running current, most applications require sizing the horsepower (HP) of the Rotary Converter 50% larger, OR MORE than the HP of the largest motor, or any combination of motors started at exactly the same time. The first motor started, IF NOT RUNNING HEAVILY LOADED, generates additional 3-phase power back into the circuit. You can then run additional motors (not heavily loaded and not all started at the same time). A maximum of up to 3 times the HP rating of the Rotary Converter can run at the same time, if not heavily loaded, and not started simultaneously. For example, a 3 horsepower converter could run motors totaling up to 9 horsepower under the specific conditions described here. See Installation.

N/A The Rotary Converter is designed to supply full running current to a three-phase motor normally providing it with full running torque. However, most motors will draw five times their running current during start-up. When used at its maximum HP rating the Rotary Converter cannot deliver the full (5 times) starting current to the motor and therefore cannot provide full starting torque. For heavy start-up loads a larger converter should be used. Below are the minimum size recommendations for various applications.

NOTE: You can always use a larger Rotary Converter than the HP of the motor. There is no minimum load requirement for the Rotary Converters. Some customers will install a Rotary Converter larger than they need to accommodate any future additions to their equipment. However, in some cases when a machine motor is significantly smaller than the HP rating of the converter, it may be necessary to add a Phase-A-Matic™ Voltage Stabilizer.

Sizing For Load Types


Motor Loads

TYPE 1:
May be used up to the HP rating of the converter. This applies to machinery with American made motors and which start with no load such as mills with step-pulley speed change, lathes with a clutch, sewing machines, and so forth.
NOTE: For instant reversing (as for rigid tapping), size according to TYPE 3 LOADS. Many restrictions apply. Most applications require sizing the converter a minimum of 50% larger (see all load types). Contact Phase-A-Matic™, Inc. to verify load type.

TYPE 2:
These include domestic & European lathes without a clutch, some pumps, wheel balancers, paper cutters, flywheel driven equipment, blowers, woodworking band saws, dough mixers, meat grinders, motors rated below 1000 RPM, etc. Use a converter with HP rating of at least 50% larger than HP of the motor.
NOTE: For instant reversing (as for rigid tapping), size according to TYPE 3 LOADS

TYPE 3:
These include Design "E" motors, Taiwanese, Chinese, Mexican motors, pumps starting under load, etc. Also, any motor that is used to instant reverse as in rigid tapping, use a converter with twice the HP rating of the motor.

TYPE 4:
Use a converter with three times the HP rating to run Brazilian made WEG motors. Size the converter three times larger to run laundry extractors, hoists, elevators, etc. This type of equipment can be extremely heavily loaded on start up. Consult Phase-A-Matic™ for possibility of successfully using a converter sized less than three times on these machines.

TYPE 5:
Hydraulic pumps, which come under a momentary load during use, will be loaded well beyond their rated HP for the brief period of maximum PSI. Examples includes bailers, compactors, paper cutters, shears, pumps, etc. The HP of the converter must be at least as high as the actual HP developed by the motor. To calculate the HP developed, you must first find the actual amperage drawn during maximum PSI. This is different from the rated amps of the motor. Next you would divide the maximum amperage by 2.8 to find the actual HP being developed by the motor. That figure is the minimum size converter to be used. Example: A 10 HP compactor with a motor rated at 28 amps but draws a peak of 40 amps momentarily at maximum compression. Divide 40 by 2.8 = 14.3 HP being developed, use model R-15 Rotary Converter.


2. Resistive Loads

Resistive loads must use the Rotary type converter, the Static type should never be used because it would be damaged. There are two methods to determine the HP of the converter to be used. One method is to take the amperage rating of the equipment and divide by 2.8 to find the equivalent HP. The other method is to take the KW rating and multiply times 1.34 or divide by .75 to find the equivalent HP of the equipment.


3. Computer, Rectifier & Transformer Loads

Transformers and electric equipment (welders, lasers, EDM machines, CNC equipment, computers, plating rectifiers, power supplies, etc.) can operate on the Rotary Converter. Use the same formula as for resistive loads to determine the proper size converter to use.

If a 4-wire wye input is required (all lines equal voltage to ground), a three phase delta-to-wye isolation transformer must be installed between the converter and the equipment to change the delta power to wye power.


4. Multiple Motor Applications

Due to the high in-rush current required to start a motor (5 to 10 times the normal running current), most applications require sizing the HP of the Rotary Converter 50% larger, or more than the horsepower of the largest motor, or any combination of motors started at exactly the same time. The first motor started, if not running heavily loaded, generates additional 3-phase power back into the circuit. You can then run additional motors, provided they are not running heavily loaded and not all started at the same time. A maximum of up to 3 times the HP rating of the Rotary Converter can run at the same time, if not heavily loaded, and not started simultaneously. For example, a 10 HP Rotary Converter potentially could run motors totaling up to 30 HP. Contact factory for verification of sizing.

N/A

General Information


CAUTION: Always start converter before applying load.

1. Magnetic controls or single-phase loads (including electronics, microprocessors, etc.) must always be energized by lines T-1 and T-2.

2. Never connect a ground or neutral to line T-3 (manufactured phase), which can easily be identified as the line with the highest voltage to ground with the converter running.

3. It is essential that careful consideration be given to your wiring length and size to prevent slow starting due to a voltage drop . Consult National Electrical Code for proper wire sizing.

4. Due to the high starting current (in-rush current) common to electric motors, a drop of starting torque may occur when using a converter that is too small. Because of this, it is NOT advised to size an application HP for HP. The vast majority of applications require sizing the converter 50% larger or more than the largest HP rated motor of your equipment. See Application Notes for sizing considerations, or call 1-800-962-6976.

5. The tables below show the approximate idle current at the specified voltage. Higher line voltage will cause idle current to increase. Excessive amperage could also be caused by incorrect installation.

6. Voltage sensitive equipment (CNC/PLC, 3-phase powered electronics, etc.) may require a Phase-A-Matic™ Voltage Stabilizer designed to reduce phase voltage imbalance. See Voltage Stabilizer, or call 1-800-962-6976.

7. Properly ground all electrical equipment.

8. Converter should reach full speed within 2 to 3 seconds.

9. Lubrication: Converters with grease fittings, lubricate every 12 months for normal operation, or every 6 months for continuous (24 hour) operation. Use high temp bearing grease: "Exxon POLYREX®EM" polyuria grease or equivalent available from Phase-A-Matic™, Inc.

10. Converters are intended for use in clean, dry locations with access to an adequate supply of cooling air. In addition, there should be protection from or avoidance of flammable or combustible materials in the area of converters as they can eject flame and/or metal in the event of an insulation failure.

11. 230V "R" series Rotary Converter is 230V single-phase in and 230V 3-phase out, 60Hz and 50Hz use.

460V "RH" series Rotary Converter is 460V single-phase in and 460V 3-phase out, 60Hz and 50Hz use.

Single Unit Installation Diagram


"R" Series is 208-230V single-phase in and 208-230V three-phase out, 60Hz and 50Hz use.

"RH" Series is 460V single-phase in and 460V three-phase out, 60Hz and 50Hz use.

Higher line voltages or voltage sensitive applications, such as CNC equipment, may require a Voltage Stabilizer.

If you have single-phase that is 208-230V and you need 460V three-phase out, or visa-versa, a transformer can be used to step the voltages up or down as required. Consult factory.



Multiple Units Banked Together Installation


"R" Series is 208-230V single-phase in and 208-230V three-phase out, 60Hz and 50Hz use."RH" Series is 460V single-phase in and 460V three-phase out, 60Hz and 50Hz use.

Higher line voltages or voltage sensitive applications, such as CNC equipment, may require a Voltage Stabilizer.

If you have single-phase that is 208-230V and you need 460V three-phase out, or visa-versa, a transformer can be used to step the voltages up or down as required. Consult factory.



Multiple Unit Installation Instructions

A. 1,000 HP or more is possible by connecting multiple units together in banks as required. Potential output is limited only by adequate wiring size and your single-phase supply available. Consult factory for these options.

B. Caution: Special care must be taken to connect all T-1 lines and all T-2 lines together. Test run the individual units before connecting the T-3 lines together. Carefully measure the voltages between the different T-3 lines. It should not read more than 60V for the R Series, and 110V for the RH Series, but could read much less. This will ensure that you have proper phase rotation. Cross phasing will cause a dead short and possible damage.

C. Fuses or magnetic starters should be sized for the individual converters and not for the total load.

D. The converters may be started either individually to reduce line surge, or may be started simultaneously depending on the limitations of your single-phase supply available.

  • 1 Almost all machines require sizing the converter 100% larger or more than the largest KW motor of your machine.

    Larger KW rated phase converter systems may be obtained by connecting multiple Rotary Converters in parallel. This is necessary for output greater than RH100-55KW.
  • 2 Single-phase supply shown is for absolute maximum output of the Rotary Converter. Most of the time the converter is oversized to provide the high starting current for the motor. It is not always necessary to size the single-phase breakers this large. Contact Phase-A-Matic™ for smaller single-phase breaker qualifications.