2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
(OP)
hi we recently joined this forum. We have a question we hope you could help us with:
We recently purchased a bridgeport milling machine that runs on 240/2 phase. we have 240/3 phase. could we run it on the 3 phase or do we need a transformer of some sort???
thanks in advance for taking the time out to answer our question.
Edward & Heather ZOll www.UnitedMachineWorks.com
We recently purchased a bridgeport milling machine that runs on 240/2 phase. we have 240/3 phase. could we run it on the 3 phase or do we need a transformer of some sort???
thanks in advance for taking the time out to answer our question.
Edward & Heather ZOll www.UnitedMachineWorks.com





RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
It may be possible. Can you post the nameplate data on the motor(s)?
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
That seems an unusual specification, although I realise things are different in the states from the uk.
As well as the rating plate details the other gentleman has asked for, how many motors does the machine have ?
Can you see any variable speed controllers ?
If for example you only have one motor, and it is dc, it would be quite common for the "drive" to be a two phase 415 Vac supply device.
If however you have more than one motor, even if they are supplied by two phase drives, I would expect them to be balanced across all three phases.
I look forward to your reply.
Best wishes
Nigel
Arvor engineer
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
240V/3phase is sufficiently rated to power 240V/2
phase machine.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
If the 3ø service is 240/120V 4w, a 208—120/240V 1ø transfomer may do it.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Apparently there is some 2ø service in the Philadelphia area. PECO lists 120/240V 2ø 5-wire service at www.exeloncorp.com/peco/library/documents/1999tariff.doc
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
There is some 2ø service in Northumberland, UK, or there was until recent years. It was on the MV network though, not at final distribution voltage.
Edward / Heather,
Do you know where the machine originated? If it is a UK machine (do Bridgeport have a US manufacturing facility?), it is very probably 240V 1ø rather than 240V 2ø. In this case, you can either run it from a transformer as you suggest, or you can replace it with a 3ø motor. The 3ø motor will be smaller, give better starting charateristics, and you can go to fully variable speed at a later date if you by a VSD. Worth considering IMHO.
Hope this helps.
Scotty.
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Start each new day with a smile.
Get it over with.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Maybe it isn't quite so obvious?
-----------------------------------
Start each new day with a smile.
Get it over with.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
The first asynchronous induction motors were actually two phase motors. It was Nicolas Tesla that invented the motor and the reason for using two phases was simple, he had learnt in school that a sine and a cosine signal combined would produce a circular and rotating pattern.
By changing that to a three-phase system, Westinghouse and Wenstrom introduced the modern asynchronous induction motor that utilised the wires and the motor better than did the two-phase system.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Please explain how to get “two phases” 220 V from a 220 V three wire three phase system. To me it looks like 220 V singlephase.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Historical aside — Apparently around the beginning of the last century, CF Scott came up with his transformer-based 3ø-2ø conversion, because 3ø was desirable for ‘transmission,’ but at that time 2ø was preferred for generators, motors and local ‘distribution.’ IEEE-article excerpt http://6L6.net/localuser/busbar/imag/etip.iam.cfscott.jpg
Aside to ScottyUK — www.iee.org/OnComms/pn/History/HistoryWk_Single_&_2_phase.pdf
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Visit
http://www.exeloncorp.com/peco/library/pdfs/2_Definitions.pdf
for:
2.45 TWO PHASE, 5-WIRE SYSTEM
A system of alternating current supplies comprising five conductors, consisting of
four phase conductors and one common grounded neutral conductor.
Also:
Two overhead (pole) transformers, each with a centertap, connected in open delta will provide three phases, 2 neutrals, 5 wire power distribution system. Two overhead transformers in open delta use two phases. The advantage of this system is in its utilization of the overhead transformers and 5-wire transmission.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
jbartos:
Please explain how to get “two phases” 220 V from a 220 V three wire three phase system.
///I interpreted the 240/2 phases in the original posting as one phase supply two "hot" wires often called two phase. It is actually a single phase. The single phase machine using 240/2 phases, i.e. two hot conductors can be connected to the three phase system, "three hot wires" by connecting it to any combination of 2 hot wires in the available three hot wire power supply.\\\
To me it looks like 220 V singlephase.
///Yes, agreed. A machine with true two-phase motors would be very rare since the two phases would be taken from the three phase power supply system. Then, the three phase power supply system would not be properly utilized. The two-phase motor is somewhat less efficient than the three phase motor.\\\
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
cbarn, it is 2 phase, not single phase
///Please, would you clarify two phase displacement. Is it true two phase with 90° displacement or two phase of the three phase system with 60° or 120° displacement?\\\
///Also, it would be helpful to post the motor nameplate data, which was requested by busbar in posting Feb 27, 2004.\\\
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
I think you will find it is cheaper to replace the motor with a modern IEC or NEMA 3-phase type, which will almost certainly be much smaller than the existing one.
If you are stuck with the existing motor, you will need a Scott-connected transformer (Not sure if he was a relative
Busbar,
That was a really good link. Thanks. I enjoy reading about the early days of our industry - sometimes I'm not sure how much progress we have actually made, having gone from a national organisation that was the envy of the world (CEGB) to a fragmented and directionless mess created by the politicians.
-----------------------------------
Start each new day with a smile.
Get it over with.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
A definition of "expert" from the UK. (exspurt!!)
An "ex" is a has been, a "spurt" is a drip under pressure.
I dont see any point in your expert post, everyone is trying to help, and over here at least it is very common to find older machines retro fitted with all types of equipment.
Sorry for the rant gentlemen.
Best wishes
Nigel
Arvor engineer
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Please refer to my earlier posting, its the second reply.
Maybe were not as dim as you first thought eh ?
Best wishes
Nigel
Arvor engineer
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
A suggested 'minimal' transfomer configuration using a {smaller} buck/boost 120x240—16/32V transformer follows, in an abridged description that does not discuss required overcurrent protection and motor control/switching. It may be possible to power the motor(s) conditional on the 2ø motor(s) being 4-wire 240V with 2 isolated coils, and the 3ø-delta service 240/120V 4-wire. [Motor nameplate data would be handy.]
With conductors A-B-C-N of the 3ø-delta source, Aø and Cø would connect to one coil. Bø would connect to one lead of the other coil, along with transfomer H1. “Dø” would be derived from leads H4-X4 of the buck/boost transfomer, with H2-H3 tied and taped off, X1 is connected to 3ø N terminal, X2-X3 tied and taped off, with “Dø” connected to the remaining lead of the second coil on the 2ø motor(s). So, one isolated coil is powered by A and Cø. and the other by B and the derived “Dø”. This configuration is intended only for the case where the midpoints of the two stator windings are not connected.
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
1. Scott Connection. This requires two transformers (main and teaser) with different tappings and ratings (they may be constructed for interchangebility).
2. Le Blanc Connection. The 3-phase side consists of three winding in star or delta, wound on an ordinary 3-limbed core. The secondary windings have to be properly grouped to form to power 2phase balanced load. The connection has the advantage of using a standard 3-phase core.
Reference:
M. G. Say "Altarnating Current Machines," John Wiley & Sons, 1978, page 169
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
UMW — Can you verify that the local electrical service is indeed 3ø 240/120V 4-wire delta? Will you post the nameplate data from the 2ø 5-wire {AC} spindle and feed motors?
A 208–120/240V 1ø transfomer may do the job—but it might be a master-electrician project. {One discussion is Ch. 10 §8-9 in Pender & Del Mar, Electrical Engineers Handbook, Wiley and Sons, 1949.}
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
Two-phase in those days? No way!
I think that cbarn may be right when he says DC. That is also what unitedmachineworks says en passant. It would explain the five wires. Two for the field winding, two for the armature and one for PE.
It has been an interesting discussion. And I am not quite sure that it is over yet...
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
RE: 2 phase bridgeport on 3 phase power
unitedmachineworks — Any news on powering your mill?