Common Equipment That Needs 3-Phase Electricity

Posted by Radmin on April 25th, 2019

Unless you work with it every day, you may have no idea what 3-phase electricity really is. However, in some lines of work, it’s a necessity to operate electrical equipment that puts too great a demand on the simple 1-phase electrical power most widely available. If you rely on 3-phase power but only have access to a single-phase feed, you can use a 3-phase electrical converter to get the power you need to run your specialized equipment.

A 3-phase power converter is a rotary machine similar to a motor that can take 1-phase power and convert it to 3-phase power. While some locations may have access to 3-phase power from the pole, in areas where only single-phase is available, a converter provides a tidy solution. Converters are used in applications where installing 3-phase infrastructure may be cost-prohibitive or otherwise unwarranted. Some machines only work optimally on 3-phase power, and if you rely on those machines you should find 3-phase converters for sale. Read on for more about common equipment that operates on 3-phase power.

Electric Motors

The most common piece of equipment or equipment component that benefits from 3-phase power is the electric motor. Many appliances and machines utilize 3-phase electric motors because of the many benefits they offer. They can start with high torque, which is beneficial in heavy industrial machines and equipment. Such motors are also efficient and are helpful in applications in which they may run for long periods without stopping. Many conveyors, fans, compressors, and blowers use 3-phase motors because 3-phase motors are smaller and less expensive than similarly sized single-phase motors. They also vibrate less, which means they enjoy longer lifespans than their 1-phase counterparts.

Resistance Heaters

Equipment that features a resistance heating element can exert a high draw on the power supply. As a result, some equipment that employs resistance heating, such as space heaters and boiler furnaces, works better and more efficiently when run off 3-phase power. It can provide the power needed by resistance heating elements and coils without bogging down the entire electrical system or stressing circuits and throwing breakers.

Lighting

Though lighting can be run with single-phase electricity without any problem, 3-phase lighting is becoming more popular because of the advantages it can offer. Lighting arrays can be powered efficiently by 3-phase power because it generates higher voltages than single-phase power. It’s also especially effective for use with fluorescent lighting, as it reduces the amount of bulb flicker that can occur with single-phase electricity.

If you rely on equipment that can be operated more efficiently with 3-phase power, consider looking for 3-phase converters for sale. They offer the perfect solution for those who need 3-phase power who don’t want the expensive of adding 3-phase infrastructure.