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There are three major categories of phase converters –
rotary phase converters (which include
CNC phase converters),
static phase converters, and
digital solid state phase converters (or simply,
digital phase converters),
and UL
Listed phase converters. CNC balanced rotary phase converters and digital phase converters fully convert single-phase electricity
to balanced 3-phase power. The output of CNC phase converters is balanced,
while static phase converters can only start 3-phase motors and are not balanced for CNC applications. CNC phase converters are commonly used to power voltage sensitive 3-phase commercial and industrial grade equipment and electric motors, including EDM's, machining centers, PLC's, and more.
CNC phase converters are available from American Rotary as UL
Listed phase converters. UL Listed phase converters are often required
in new construction. There are several key differences in the way
the two types of CNC phase converters work, and also in their reliability.
What are CNC phase converters?
CNC phase converters are phase converters that meet the requirements of 3-phase CNC applications by maintaining at least a +/-5% voltage balance. American Rotary offers
Phase Perfect® digital phase converters as well as GENTEC's complete line of
CNC balanced rotary phase
converters. Designed with a custom-balanced soft-start three-phase generator, pure sine wave output, and power factor correction produces extremely smooth and balanced 3-phase output, GENTEC American Rotary CNC phase converters are recommended for all types and brands of CNC equipment and applications.
What is Phase
Perfect®?
Phase Perfect digital phase converters are a revolutionary advancement in digital phase conversion technology. When voltage balance is critical even under the most demanding overload situations, American Rotary's Phase Perfect® digital phase converters are the ideal solution.
There are no other
CNC phase converters that offer the precise voltage regulation of all three lines with varying loads from no load to full load.
What are digital phase
converters?
Digital solid-state phase converters, or simply, digital phase converters are the latest advancement in CNC phase converter technology. Phase Perfect® has led the industry in this state-of-the-art technology using a digital signal processor, or DSP, to monitor the phase conversion process and then adjusting the input and output continually of the CNC converter to maintain a perfectly balanced power condition under all load conditions.
What are CNC phase converters
vs. Rotary Phase
Converters?
Balanced rotary phase converters can also be called CNC phase converters, convert single phase power to balanced three phase power for the purpose of running 3-phase equipment at or near 100% of its rated horsepower while maintaining at least a +/-5% voltage balance, which is required by most CNC equipment.
Who can use a CNC phase
converter?
CNC phase converters are most commonly used in home, hobby, commercial, or industrial settings to power CNC equipment when utility 3-phase power is either too costly, or not available. Rotary
phase converters convert single-phase power into balanced three-phase power. Rotary
phase converters are a very cost-effective way to power three-phase CNC equipment, and they come with simple and easy to use installation manuals. Rotary phase converters are rated using the maximum horsepower that they can handle. A true rotary phase converter supplies an electrical current in all three phases of operation of an electric motor. Due to the consistent energy flow, the electric motor will operate at or near its full horsepower capacity. The output is custom balanced to meet the requirements of CNC equipment.
Should I use a CNC phase converter even if my equipment is not CNC?
The voltage balance obtained with CNC phase converters is optimal for any application. The more balanced the output of the CNC phase converter is, the better a piece of equipment will operate and the longer it will last. Unbalanced voltages seen with non CNC phase converters can be hard on the equipment they are running as well as cause other undesirable conditions - such as excess noise and poor performance. All of our
phase converters are voltage balanced to +/-5% or better. This means that all of our rotary phase converters are also CNC phase converters.
Is a rotary CNC phase
converter right for my application?
By balancing the output, rotary CNC phase converters can be used on any type of equipment – especially voltage sensitive equipment such as CNC machining centers, milling machines, lathes, PLC's, EDM's, and any other type of equipment that relies on balanced power input. You will want to verify that the rotary CNC phase converter is rated for the specific kilowatts (kW) that your equipment or machine requires. Our technical support team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week toll free at 1-888-743-6832 to answer any questions you might have and to help you properly size the right CNC phase converter for your specific application.
What are static
phase converters?
Static phase converters can start 3-phase motors, but cannot be used as CNC phase converters. Once an electric motor has been started, the static phase converter will disengage and leave the electric motor to run only on single-phase power. The resulting power is unbalanced and the equipment is only able to operate up to around two-thirds its rated horsepower before forcing too much current through the winding of the motor. This unbalanced output and the resulting "single-phasing" of a 3-phase motor is hard on 3-phase equipment and may shorten the life of the motor itself. All three phase applications that require smoothly balanced 3-phase output, or will be operated at or near 100%, will require rotary phase converters, CNC phase converters, or digital CNC phase converters to operate effectively. While static phase converters work fine in some applications, they tend to be hard on 3-phase equipment and their use is limited.
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Can rotary CNC phase converters be oversized?
Customers often buy larger rotary CNC phase converters than are required for their application. Many shops anticipate adding additional equipment in the future. American Rotary phase converters are balanced from a no load condition, which means that there is no minimum size to a motor that can safely be run with any of our rotary phase converters, even if you have a very large rotary phase converter. For example, a 2HP mill can be safely run on our 40HP rotary phase converter and still maintain a properly balanced voltage. This is an important distinction in the marketplace. Not all CNC phase converters are balanced from a no-load condition!
Is it expensive to run an American Rotary CNC phase converter?
GENTEC American Rotary CNC phase converters were specifically designed for low cost operation. In our efficiency ratings, we use the term "real power" to define what the power company ultimately charges the customer. We list the "Idle Power" figures in the detailed specifications of all rotary
CNC phase converters in our product line. Using the cost per kWhour in your area (the national average is $.08/kWhour), and "Idle Power" figure from the specifications table, you can figure the cost to run our CNC phase converters per hour with the following equation:
Cost To Run (per hour) = Real Power (kW) x ($/kWhour) A mid-sized 10HP American Rotary CNC phase converter would cost approximately $.07/hour at idle! When the CNC phase converter is under a load, the idle power shifts a little bit, but is considered to be insignificant.
Will American Rotary CNC phase converters dim the neighbor's lights?
Absolutely not! GENTEC American Rotary set out to design a custom CNC phase converter generator that would drastically reduce the inrush current upon start-up. The results were so dramatic that the GENTEC/Baldor motor generator was granted a soft-start rating!
What does Soft-Start have to do with CNC phase converters?
Our exclusive motor-integrated soft-start is built directly into the motor/generator housing and drastically reduces inrush (starting) current by softening the initial starting torque required to spin the generator. This greatly reduces, or even eliminates the power company "demand charges" that are so often associated with operating CNC phase converters. Engineers at GENTEC and Baldor worked together to design our custom three phase motor generator to reduce the inrush current upon start-up. The resulting 83% reduction of inrush current earned the GENTEC/Baldor motor generator a Soft-Start rating!
Is there a downside to using Soft-Start phase converters or CNC phase converters?
No. American Rotary CNC phase converters will provide all of the power required for heavy-duty and hard starting applications. Coupled with balanced pure sine wave output and power factor correction, American Rotary CNC phase converters are perfect for CNC and other voltage sensitive applications.
What about high "demand charges" for rotary phase converters?
American Rotary CNC phase converters have corrected power factor to, among other benefits, keep the amount of current produced by the power company (demand) to power the rotary converter to a minimum. Corrected power factor also reduces the cost to run our rotary CNC phase converters in industrial areas where additional "real power" demand charges can occur. American Rotary's proprietary soft-start CNC phase converter generator typically eliminates demand charges.
Is it safe to use American Rotary CNC phase converters on CNC equipment?
Yes! American Rotary CNC phase converters are designed to operate CNC equipment and other voltage sensitive applications Our CNC phase converters are precision balanced under load and no-load conditions +/-5% or better, as required by CNC equipment manufacturers such as Haas, Fadal, Hurco, and others. American Rotary's custom CNC phase converter generators are manufactured with ISR (Inverter Spike Resistant) magnet wire. The development and use of ISR magnet wire virtually eliminates the spikes that are common in CNC applications.
Are American Rotary CNC phase converters loud?
American Rotary CNC phase converters are extremely quiet! The noise associated with a typical CNC phase converter can be placed into four categories:
• By nature, electric motors of any sort will vibrate to some degree - however minutely - which will create mechanical noise in CNC phase converters. In addition, improper mounting - such as bolting a motor generator to a rigid structure or floor - will cause vibration in the bearings. Rubber isolation mounting feet virtually eliminate all mechanical noise, and also extend the life of the generator.
• Humming or buzzing is electromagnetic noise which is caused by unbalanced currents and voltages in the windings. American Rotary CNC phase converters are precision balanced thereby eliminating electromagnetic noise.
• Friction in the ball bearings causes bearing noise and is most commonly heard in motors manufactured in China. American Rotary CNC phase converter generators utilize precision high speed bearings and are manufactured entirely in the United States.
• Whirring, or aerodynamic noise, is created by air displacement when a fan is used to cool a generator. TEFC motors are often used in CNC phase converters and are particularly loud because they require a lot of air for cooling. American Rotary CNC phase converter generators have extremely efficient cooling methods thus greatly reducing any aerodynamic noise.
Do I have to mount the CNC phase converter generator and the control panel together?
Regardless of how quietly American Rotary CNC phase converters operate, some shops prefer to mount the generator away from the control panel. American Rotary CNC phase converter panels are not mounted directly to the generator which allows a variety of mounting options to best suit the area they serve.
What about CNC phase converter installation?
American Rotary CNC phase converters come with easy to use instructions and installation procedures. A step-by-step installation pictorial available on this website, and you always have access to our 24/7 toll free technical support.
Can I run multiple machines with my American Rotary CNC phase converter?
Absolutely! American Rotary CNC phase converters are rated to run multiple machines and motor loads. This capacity is only limited by the current available as long as the rotary phase converter is sized for starting the largest load.American Rotary CNC phase converters are balanced from a no load condition so there is no minimum to how small a motor you can run on a much larger phase converter. CNC phase converters often run multiple loads, but we recommend that you call our engineering department for sizing assistance. Toll free 1-888-7GENTEC.
Do American Rotary CNC phase converters use oil filled capacitors?
Always! In addition, only purchases first quality components direct from the manufacturer are used in our CNC phase converter production. We do not ever buy overstocks, seconds, surplus, or closeouts.
What if I still have questions about CNC phase converters?
Please feel free to call us! Toll free 1-888-743-6832, or by email at sales@AmericanRotary.com. Our staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions! Please also visit the "Articles" section of our website for more information.
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