3 ph to 1 phase

[ajay]

Can a 3 phase washer be wired so that it can run as a 1 phase washer?

[Anonymous]

You would have to install capacitors and probably need to rewind the motor.

[ajay]

ok. diferent questions perhaps:

If a location doesn't have 3 phase service - is it worthwhile to get the 3 phase service brought over from the pole for the sake of using 3 phase service.

Ajay

[Andy]

What is the number of machines that you propose to run on 3 ph. If it is just a few, I would say no, if it is an entire store of 20 plus front loaders then that is another question.

Have you checked with the power provider to see if it is available nearby?

[Anonymous]

In the long run it will be cheaper as three phase equipment costs less than single phase, is simpler to work on with fewer parts (like capacitors) and cost less to operate in terms of electricity. Its a choice between capital and operating costs. With the cost of money so low right now, and energy prices going no where but up - I would opt to bring in 3phase if it is available.

[ajay]

I'm looking to sell few of my machines to a person who doesn't have 3 phase service. He's a novice in this business so I wanted him to make an informed decision before purchasing my machines. I wanted him to know exactly what he's in for. He currently have almost all top load washer(20) and he wants to add front loaders.

ajay

[Andy]

He could buy phase converters but they are expensive, these will allow you to power 3 phase motors on single phase power.

[David]

When I was in the market for a 50lb washer, I found numerous used 3-phase washers, but almost no single phase. I called a few electrical contractors and asked what the cost would be to run three phase into my mat. $2,000 to $4,000 was the price estimated.

Not worth it for a one washer. I ended up ordering it from NY Laundry.

[CharlieS]

Ajay -

If you are replacing all of your equipment, installing a new mat, refurbing, etc, then absolutely make the change to 3 phase. If installing just a couple of washers, no, its not worth the effort.

There is no economically viable way to convert a 3 phase machine to a single phase.

Charlie

[TTLES]

For just a few machines bringing in 3 phase to a location would not be feasable. Using a phase converter, even a rotary, will not work very well. The constant reversing actino will take its toll on a converter, Plus the expense of a rotary converter of sufficient capacity would not make sense. Converting a three phase machine to a single phase would involve adding capacitors, perhaps a centrifigual switch, motor replacement, (ADDITIONAL PARTS DEPENDING ON MFG. OF MACHINE. and harness modification. I have done this before, in the end ,as I tried to tell the customer all along, IT WASN'T WORTH IT. !!!

Hope this helps, Tony

[cesar]

What exactly is the difference between 3-phase and single phase, and how is 3-phase more efficient?

[Coinwash]

Check this out

http://windstuffnow.com/main/3_phase_basics.htm

[ajay]

tx guys. I'll definitely relay your input to the buyer.

ajay

[CharlieS]

You can think of it as a single cylinder engine versus a 3 cylinder engine. A single only delivers power a portion of the time, and is in a non-power phase a significant portion of the time. The 3 cylinder motor nearly always has a cylinder in a power mode, so the output is smoother and more consistent.

The single also has to have a larger cylinder to get the same output as the three smaller cylinders. The same applies to motors. Except that all three phases can use the same cylinder, or in this case, motor. A single phase motor must be larger, and requires more energy to operate, than the smaller three phase motor of similar output. Thus the three phase will be more energy efficient. Using three phases equipment in your entire store will save a considerable amount over single phase equipment.

Charlie

[Anonymous]

Charlie - That was an EXCELLENT way to explain three phase power!

Thanks.

[cesar]

CharlieS

That was a good explaination, Thanks.

I checked out the website that was linked and it had a good technical answer but way convoluted.

New questions. Do washers/dryers come standard either way, or when you buy new do you have to specify single or 3-phase machines?

[Anonymous]

Its sort of like cars, automatic vs manual transmissions. I think most large washers if you don't specify are three phase - but can be had in single. On dryers its the oposite, most are single phase 110V but some are available in three phase.

[CharlieS]

You should always specify, or you may not end up with what you want. US dryers for Laundromats are nearly always single phase, unless you have electric dryers (I shudder at the thought!)

However, I really wanted to get my Wasco TD3030s in 3 phase, but they didn't have them in the US at the time (still might not for all I know). Why? Well, besides the savings, these can also reverse direction. Wouldn't it be great to have the dryers reverse every so often? All those sheets and blankets would just unravel and start balling up in the other direction, but would at least be open for a while. It is very easy to switch the direction fo a 3 phase motor, since all you have to do is swap any two power leads. When you install a 3 phase washer, you must always verify the spin direction and swap a pair of leads if its wrong.

Charlie