Converting from 3ph to 1ph?

[eltax91]

Hello all

I have been fortunate enough to be gifted a pillar drill by a friend clearing out things in his late fathers workshop. It is 3ph and has a 3ph plug on it.

However it also states 230/240v? Can this be run on a 1ph home supply? Or will i need to change the motor, or perhaps use an inverter?

[SamR380]

No, it won't run on a single phase supply. You can buy a capitative phase converter from machine mart or an inverter from ebay but you're probably as well off replacing the motor. The frame size (motors come in standard sizes) is shown as B56, I'd look for a replacement or politely turn down the offer.

[E-bmw]

eltax91 said:

However it also states 230/240v? Can this be run on a 1ph home supply? Or will i need to change the motor, or perhaps use an inverter?

Each single phase of a 3 phase supply is 240v, hence why it is marked like that.

Changing the motor for one of the same frame size but single phase is your best option.

An inverter supplies single phase AC from a DC battery so is of no use to you.

[xstian]

You want to get a VFD, not very expensive. If you go for a cheap Chinese one make sure you over rate it. I wouldn’t buy a 1ph motor it inferior to 3ph.

[xstian]

E-bmw said:

Each single phase of a 3 phase supply is 240v, hence why it is marked like that.

Although what you are saying is kind of right, it doesn’t mean that. It means the motor can be wired in star or delta, so it can run as 380v 3ph or 220v 3ph.

[SystemOfAFrown]

You should be able to drive this with a suitably rated VFD, they are relatively inexpensive these days and you'd get the benefit of additional speed control. Alternatively if it's a standard size motor then an equivalent 1ph unit could be fitted, but ensure the RPM is similar.

[hidetheelephants]

A VFD will be the easiest answer providing the motor can be wired appropriately, the data plate implies that it can; if you post a picture of the motor connections the hive mind can pass judgement. You could fit a single phase motor but you will not be able to vary the speed and changing motors is much more effort than fitting a VFD.

[SamR380]

E-bmw said:

An inverter supplies single phase AC from a DC battery so is of no use to you.

An inverter 'drive' can create pseudo-AC from a DC source, not necessarily a battery and not necessarily (or usually) single phase. Inverters are available that take single phase input, rectify it to make DC, then invert the DC to three AC waveforms spaced by 120 degrees. This type of inverter (available on ebay) would be useful to the OP.

[ruggedscotty]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jadeshay-Variable-Frequen...

this will do the job....

https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic3659741.ht...

[eltax91]

Thanks! I was about to post asking how to size an inverter as it seems the best way to go.

I was chatting with the gifter of the drill yesterday and he told me if it was too much hassle, he’s happy for me to clean it up, sell it and buy a single phase one….

So I’ll either buy a vfd or do that. Either way it’s a problem for a future version of me as it’s on the back burner to sort as a mini project once I’ve finished the resto on my RRC

[hidetheelephants]

ruggedscotty said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jadeshay-Variable-Frequen...

this will do the job....

Rather overspec, it's only a 370W motor; one of these or one of these will do the job unless the motorplate is telling fibs.

[ruggedscotty]

hidetheelephants said:

ruggedscotty said:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jadeshay-Variable-Frequen...

this will do the job....

Rather overspec, it's only a 370W motor; one of these or one of these will do the job unless the motorplate is telling fibs.

showing generic, size needs to be selected to suit motor etc...

[finishing touch]

I changed the motor on one of my pillar drills to one that could reverse direction, with the aid of a reversing switch mounted on the side.

This enables my MT2, 16 speed drill to tap up to M20 in 20mm plate.

Paul G