How Does a Rotary Phase Converter Work?

By Michelle Kerns, eHow Contributor

 
 
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How Does a Rotary Phase Converter Work?

1. Aspects

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     A rotary phase converter is a device that changes single phase electrical power into multiple phase electrical power. The most common types of rotary phase converters produce three phase electrical power from a single phase source, meaning that they add a third source of current to the two already generated by a single phase electrical power source, resulting in three phase power. Rotary phase converters are the most common, and most affordable, phase converters available.

     There are several other types of phase converters. Static phase converters and digital phase converters are the two other most widely used types. However, the rotary phase converter is the best choice of the three for long-term use, static phase converters are best used only when boosting the power when an electrical engine is starting up, and digital phase converters can be prohibitively expensive. Rotary phase converters, by contrast, can last over 30 years and are the most reliable and cost-effective way to transform single phase power to the three phase power that can run large machinery.

   Function

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     A rotary phase converter uses a three phase motor and a large bank of capacitors to combine a third tier of power with a single phase power source. The single phase source of electricity is attached to two of the three phase motor leads. The third lead to the motor is attached to one of the single-power source outputs in series with the group of capacitors, and the output leads from the rotary-phase converter connect to all three-motor terminals. In this way, the rotary phase converter generates a third of the source of power while simultaneously combining it with the other two currents from the single phase power source.

     Rotary phase converters are able to produce three phase electrical power without damaging electrical machinery with unbalanced power loads since they are capable of producing balanced and constant power.

   Significance

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     Rotary phase converters are commonly used by people who live in rural areas that only supply single phase electrical power, and are in need of greater energy supplies for farming or industrial needs.

     Rotary phase converters can also be used to convert three phase electrical power into single phase power. In Europe, they are specifically used to do just this, since the electrical railways in many European countries are made to function off of single phase electrical power, while the power provided in the large cities is typically three phase. The rotary phase converters allow the railways to function despite the difference in electrical phases.