Three phase to single phase
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Topic: Three phase to single phase
Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Subject: Three phase to single phase
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2022 at 8:18pm
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Local ag center obtained a Vulcan commercial oven from one of the county schools recently. Can these be economically converted from 3-phase to single-phase? The building has a 3-phase panel but it is not close to the kitchen. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Replies:
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2022 at 10:12pm
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the simple way is to use a new VFD.. Variable Frequence Drive ... You put in 240v single phase and get out 240v 3 phase ........ Need to make sure your oven runs on 240v.... If it is 480v, your out of business.
check on the VOLTAGE and the AMPS on the name plate and will get more after that. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 02 Nov 2022 at 10:14pm
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You can also go OLD SCHOOL and use a set of capacitors to simulate the 3rd phase... but still restricted to 240v input / output.
being that it is commercial and a OVEN.... im guessing the AMPS are going to be TOO HIGH to do this efficiently ......... and voltage may well be 480v... so no go. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 6:23am
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It could be cheaper, maybe a LOT cheaper, to run 3 wires from the panel instead of 'converting' to single phase. The BIG question is what power ( volts and amps ) does it need ? If same voltage as panel, then only a current (amps) issue. One 'cheat' I saw years ago was using 3 runs of 14/2 NMD for a temporary 3 phase feed that's probably still being used today..... ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 6:29am
| When convert 3-1 even on phase converters designed to, end up with amps loss, heating elements use a lot of amps. |
Posted By: Les Kerf
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 6:40am
X2 If I have access to 3-phase in a building I want to use it. |
jaybmiller wrote:Posted By: Dusty MI
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 7:41am
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Most 3 phase are 240/480/277 volts, you most likely need 120/240, if that is what's needed, you will need a transformer, probably not worth it. ------------- 917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express" |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 5:53pm
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also... the reason for going to 480 volts is it takes half the current as a 240v circuit to get the same POWER ...... and by going to 3 phase, you cut the current even more in comparison to the same voltage single phase system.. 3 phase / 480 volt supply will use a LOT SMALLER WIRE ($$$ saved) as compared to running 240v power. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: JW in MO
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 7:15pm
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If it's a Vulcan, chances are it's a wind oven which has a fan motor on the back, check and see if it's 3 phase, may not be if it's small enough. ------------- Maximum use of available resources! |
Posted By: bigal121892
Date Posted: 03 Nov 2022 at 7:20pm
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You wouldn't be able to use a VFD for this application, as the heating element would cycle on and off. VFD wouldn't tolerate that for very long. |
Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2022 at 1:20am
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Okay, so the oven is currently wired for three phase, you wanna run it on single. IF it's a common oven, it uses resistive elements to provide heat.
you do NOT want to run this on a VFD, and it would be a fool's errand
to do so, because it is neither economical nor necessary to do so... What you need, is a wiring diagram for the oven, and I'll BET that if you find an installation manual for it, you'll find that diagram, and in it, a connection diagram for SEVERAL different power configurations. Can you get one? Take the covers off, and look-see if there's a diagram either glued to, or in a pouch inside... or web-search, call the manufacturer, etc.,... If you get a doc, and don't know how to interpret it, send me good pictures of it, and I'll tell 'ya how to do it. I'm POSITIVELY CERTAIN that, even if it was wired for 208, or 480, or 277, or 230... it'll run on a 120/240 single-phase. As an example, the most recent electric oven doc at Vulcan, page 5, has this: ------------- Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest. |
Posted By: DaveKamp
Date Posted: 04 Nov 2022 at 1:27am
 ------------- Ten Amendments, Ten Commandments, and one Golden Rule solve most every problem. Citrus hand-cleaner with Pumice does the rest. |
Posted By: Hubert (Ga)engine7
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2022 at 10:27am
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Thank all of you for the replies and advice. I will pass this information along and let management make a decision. Since this is a county government operation it may take some time. ------------- Just an old country boy saved by the grace of God. |
Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2022 at 10:49am
| I bought a resterant 3 phase Grill for our church the deal was too good to pass downloaded the manual from the manufacture and connected it up according to the manual for single phase. I connected to a range plug so we could plug it in when needed. the heat elements won't draw any more power than they can get. |