Changing out 3 phase for 1 motors on Planer thick.

[Prizen]

Hi all

Having considered inverters and rotary phase converters but being put off by the cost, I wonder if it would be possible to remove the 3 phase motors on my planer thicknesser and replace with single phase motors. What are the limitations of this?

 

[Trevanion]

So long as the spindles aren't a funny size or the mounting is a funny style, there's not really anything to stop you from doing it.

You'll need new switchgear for the motors but that's about it.

3HP should be plenty for the cutter block itself and 1HP would be more than enough for the feed. You should be able to wire both switches to run off the same power supply.

 

[Prizen]

 

[Prizen]

Here s the other motor. Only rated at 415v, not 230v

 

[Prizen]

Would this be a potential solution;
VFD for the cutter block motor
Change the 0.5hp 3 phase feeder motor for a single phase 1hp?

 

[Myfordman]

Pick open the star point on the feed motor, rewire to 230v 3 phase and run them both from the same 3hp VFD
No mechanical risks then.

 

[Prizen]

Thanks Myfordman. I only see 415v on the feed motor. Doesn't appear to be dual rated. This rules out 230v I would assume?

 

[Hornbeam]

2 voltages quoted on a 3 phase motor are dependent upon whether the windings a set in star (415), where the voltage drop is across 2 motor windings or in delta (220) where the voltage drop is only across 1 motor winding. You cant run a 3 phase 220v motor on single phase.
One other thing to consider is that single phase motors are often larger for the same power. If you measure the dimensions of your motor you can use attached table to know what size you have
http://www.electricmotorservice.net/iechart.pdf

 

[Ttrees]

Thanks Myfordman. I only see 415v on the feed motor. Doesn't appear to be dual rated. This rules out 230v I would assume?

Myfordman is suggesting this to be done....
topic113222-15.html

Wouldn't take but a minute to check if this needs to be done atall, as the terminal lid will
come off with 4 little screws, and could actually be a dual voltage rated motor, with possible schematic sticker for configuring star(Y), or delta(triangle) symbols under the lid.
Tom