×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

3 phase to Single Phase Inverter

3 phase to Single Phase Inverter

3 phase to Single Phase Inverter

(OP)
Hi,

I'm currently looking at a project where the power from a small 3 phase generator is converted to single phase supply. It is intended to use the single phase supply in a domestic dwelling.

Can anyone tell where I would source a 3 phase to single phase inverter.

Apprecite the Help.

DC

RE: 3 phase to Single Phase Inverter

Why would you want to use an inverter? That massively complicates things. Also, many electronic loads are not too happy running from inverters. Many will run, but they represent a non-linear load, so your inverter may become unhappy LONG before you reach its "rated" Kva rating. Also, an inverter capable of running an entire house will be $$$. Probably cheaper to get a single phase / split-phase generator. Can you trade the genny you have in towards one that is actually better suited to your situation?

Note: I'm assuming you're in N. America with these following comments;
Just use two of the generator's three legs and its neutral for "single phase" supply. This will work to a point, until the generator gets cranky being unevenly loaded. How many Kva are you talking about here?

If this is a permanent connection, replace the single phase panel (in reality, it's a split-phase panel) with a three phase panel.

If you're concerned about leg-to-leg loads receiving a lower voltage (208v on 3ph VS 240v on split phase) you can change things like heater elements to 208v, or use a buck-boost transformer if you absolutely MUST have 240v.

I deal with these issues all the time in the entertainment industry. Most of our loads are 120v single phase, with some three phase motor loads thrown in for good measure. Selecting the proper generator for the loads I'm driving is the first step in properly spec-ing power distro.


SceneryDriver

RE: 3 phase to Single Phase Inverter

There are several circuits to reconnect a three phase generator for single phase use. You will get 2/3 of the rated KVA and the rated power factor becomes 100% (From the normal 80%).
What size is your generator? KVA? kW? PF? Available voltages?

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources