Dual Voltage Machine Design for Euro/NorthA

[PNA]

I have an dryer, that runs on 220 1ph 60hz with a neutral (2 hots, 1 neutral). And they want to be able to take that unit and be able to use that same unit in Europe (which is 230 1ph 50hz - 1 hot and 1 neutral).

From what is understand, it cannot be done easily thru a transformer. And frequency converters are extremely cost prohibitive.

Can this be achieved relatively inexpensively?

We have a mix of 110 vac blower motors, relays and use 2 hot lines to the heaters.

Maybe i am overthinking it.

 

[dpc]

faq237-1224

Try reading this and let us know if you have questions.

David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com

 

[PNA]

Yes i have read that before.
I am not overly concerned with the V/f at this point in time.

As a rule, i design products that match the market. i.e. european standards, contactors, relays, switches, etc. CE

We also have a separate model that is CE compliant.

What the customer is asking for is a single unit suitable for Europe and North America.

 

[waross]

Let's go back to basics.
Does your machine use motors, heaters, or both?
Where are you located? 220 single phase has been obsolete in North America since the 50's.
Even if you don't worry about V/Hz, your motors will.
But, accepting that your motors will work over a V/Hz range of 3.67 (220V/60 Hz) to 4.6 (230V/50 Hz). Why not use all 220/230V components?
Alternately you may use a 2:1 transformer to power the 110V, 115V, 120V controls.
Another option is to use oversized 50Hz motors. A 230V 50Hz motor will be badly under voltage at 220V 60Hz. If you oversize the motor, it may still work on 220V even though it wants about 276V. Now if the load increases with the increase in sped, you may have to increase the HP further to develop enough power to turn the load.
What you are proposing may be possible but do you really want to do it?

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

 

[PNA]

1 - motors and heaters both

220 vac single phase with a neutral is typical for household wiring in north america (1 black 110, 1 red 110, 1 neutral white and ground)

and really i don't want to do it
like you said, there are many considerations involved and i don't have the time (as i am also designing new product)

just seeing if it was actually practical

thanks

 

[waross]

Well in Canada, 110V was the standard voltage back in the 50's. Then about every 5 years, the standard voltage was raised. 112V, 115V, 117V, and finally 120 Volts. I don't know the progression of voltages in the US, but the standard voltage for many years has been 120V and multiples there-of.
Standard motor voltages are multiples of 115 Volts.
There may be no harm in conversation referring to the residential voltages as 110/220Volts but when you are on a technical forum asking about interoperability of equipment on different voltages and frequencies, fast forward half a century and get your voltage correct.

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

 

[davidbeach]

Yep, 120V is the standard. 110V is just a colloquialism used by wanna be sparkies.

 

[waross]

Off the wall and out of the box;
Consider an auto transformer to match the voltage and then use a VFD to drive a three phase motor.
You may even be able to locate and size a VFD that will work on either 230V or 240 V. Your biggest challenge may be to use the machine on 208 V 60Hz. This voltage may be more common in large apartment buildings in North America than you realize.

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