I have been looking at some light industrial equipment and a few of the items require 380 volts. How is possible to get that off a 15/45 meter single phase?

It's not possible from single phase.  You would need a 220v to 380v transformer, if they exist.

Interesting a bit above my pay grade though.

 

 

By far the easiest solution is to get a 3-phase supply from PEA/MEA (Take 380V between 2 phases).

 

If you need 3-phase for motors and it's not directly available you could use a single-phase in, 3-phase out electronic motor drive. What sort of power level are we looking at? 

 

16 hours ago, bankruatsteve said:

It's not possible from single phase.  You would need a 220v to 380v transformer, if they exist.

Humm well yes you can, first you need a single phase to 3 phase converter, and they are both rotary and static, neither are cheap.

 

Though it's often easier to get a single phase motor 

 

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/1-phase-to-3-phase-converter

If you only need to run a 3 phase motor on the 380 volts a VFD is the way to go. It gives you single to 3 phase conversion, a motor starter, overload protection, and speed control all in the one package


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On 11/7/2018 at 4:44 PM, Crossy said:

 

By far the easiest solution is to get a 3-phase supply from PEA/MEA (Take 380V between 2 phases).

 

If you need 3-phase for motors and it's not directly available you could use a single-phase in, 3-phase out electronic motor drive. What sort of power level are we looking at? 

 

About 1.1 kw

The one machine I am looking at seems pretty simple, I don't know why they would need three phase. I guess it would be possible to switch out the motor. It doesn't say anything about horsepower. But it is 7 rpm machine, slow and strong I guess

 

10 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

About 1.1 kw

About 1.5 HP, unless it's a really weird motor I reckon swapping out for a single-phase motor would be the cheapest solution.

 

EDIT Or maybe not https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-2kw-220v-AC-Frequency-Inverter-Converter-Output-3-Phase-650HZ-ac-motor-water-pump-controller/32800572684.html

 

EDIT 2 Before getting one of these low-cost drives check what the phase-phase output voltage is, some seem to be only 220V.

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

About 1.5 HP, unless it's a really weird motor I reckon swapping out for a single-phase motor would be the cheapest solution.

 

EDIT Or maybe not https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-2kw-220v-AC-Frequency-Inverter-Converter-Output-3-Phase-650HZ-ac-motor-water-pump-controller/32800572684.html

 

EDIT 2 Before getting one of these low-cost drives check what the phase-phase output voltage is, some seem to be only 220V.

I got to admit, this is over my head. If I decide to purchase I will make sure the motor can be swapped for 220, cause I have enough headaches.

13 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

About 1.1 kw

The one machine I am looking at seems pretty simple, I don't know why they would need three phase. I guess it would be possible to switch out the motor. It doesn't say anything about horsepower. But it is 7 rpm machine, slow and strong I guess

 

A couple of advantages of 3 phase motors are that they are self starting, they have no capacitor to go bad,  are smaller, lighter and cheaper than a single phase motor of similar power.

So size could be a problem.

 

I won't mention names   but it sounds like someone is embarking on a business venture.

11 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

I won't mention names   but it sounds like someone is embarking on a business venture.

Family has a tea plantation, it's tea processing equipment.

5 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

Family has a tea plantation, it's tea processing equipment.

 

Thank you.   The curious cat can now rest.

 

That's a noble business me thinks.

On 11/8/2018 at 8:11 AM, sometimewoodworker said:

 

Though it's often easier to get a single phase motor 

 

One of the purchasing errors made by my predecessor was installing single phase motors on our water systems, even though three phase power is available everywhere at our site. As as result I'm changing start capacitors on an almost weekly basis. Always get three phase motors if you can to avoid this sort of time consuming nonsense. Even the most expensive capacitors won't last for five minutes on a pump.

 

In contrast, all of our swimming pool pumps are three phase and they haven't blinked for five years (three phase pumps don't need capacitors to start).

 

 

 

 

On ‎11‎/‎7‎/‎2018 at 3:28 PM, canuckamuck said:

I have been looking at some light industrial equipment and a few of the items require 380 volts.

Sorry, don't know.  I stuck my finger in a light socket when I was about ten years old to see what would happen.  Never again, haha.  Though, have been done a few times since by accident.  The pain of 240v is enough for me.

A couple of advantages of 3 phase motors are that they are self starting, they have no capacitor to go bad,  are smaller, lighter and cheaper than a single phase motor of similar power.
So size could be a problem.

Three phase motor is also easily reversible, which could be very important with a lot of processing equipment.