|
There are two categories of UL Listed phase converters
that are available from American Rotary.
UL Listed rotary phase converters (which include
CNC phase converters), and Phase Perfect digital solid state phase converters (or simply,
digital phase converters).
UL listed phase converters are often indicated and required for new
construction. UL listed phase converters from American Rotary are
CNC balanced and fully convert single-phase electricity
to balanced 3-phase power. American Rotary's UL Listed rotary phase converters
and digital 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. There are several key differences in the way
the two types of CNC phase converters work, and also in their reliability.
What are UL Listed phase converters?
UL Listed phase converters are phase converters that meet the rigid
specifications and requirements of the Underwriters Laboratory. They are
usually required for new construction installations. American Rotary offers
Phase Perfect® digital phase converters as well as GENTEC's complete line of
UL Listed 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
UL Listed phase converters are recommended for all types and brands of CNC equipment
as well as heavy duty and hard starting 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
UL Listed 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
UL Listed 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 UL Listed phase converters
vs. a standard Rotary Phase
Converters?
UL Listed phase converters have met the requirements of the Underwriters
Laboratory, whereas the standard line of rotary phase converters are built with
UL Listed and approved components and then mounted in a NEMA enclosure.
Who can use a UL Listed phase
converter?
UL Listed phase converters are most commonly used in new construction such as home, hobby, commercial, or industrial settings to power
equipment when utility 3-phase power is either too costly, or not available. UL
Listed rotary
phase converters convert single-phase power into balanced three-phase power. UL
Listed rotary
phase converters are a very cost-effective way to power three-phase CNC
equipment and other machinery, and they come with simple and easy to use installation manuals.
UL Listed 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 and other hard-starting and heavy-duty applications.
Should I use a UL Listed phase converter even if
it is not required?
Anyone can use a UL Listed phase converter. UL Listing is revered as a
seal of a professional product. The testing that a UL Listed phase
converter endures during design and review is rigorous, expensive, and takes
place over a long period of time. The end result is an electrically sound
and proven UL Listed phase converter.
Is a UL Listed phase
converter right for my application?
By balancing the output, our UL Listed rotary phase converters and UL Listed
digital phase converters can be used on any type of equipment – especially
hard-starting, heavy-duty, or 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.
Our UL Listed phase converters are 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
UL Listed phase converter for your specific application.
Is it expensive to run an American Rotary
UL Listed phase converter?
It is not expensive to run an American Rotary UL Listed 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 UL Listed
phase converters dim the neighbor's lights?
Absolutely not! GENTEC American Rotary set out to design a custom 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
UL Listed 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 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
UL Listed phase converters?
No. American Rotary UL Listed 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
UL Listed phase converters are perfect for any application.
What about high "demand charges" for
UL Listed rotary phase converters?
American Rotary UL Listed 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
UL Listed rotary phase converters in industrial areas where additional "real power" demand charges can occur. American Rotary's proprietary soft-start
UL Listed phase converter generator typically eliminates demand charges.
Is it safe to use American Rotary
UL Listed phase converters on CNC equipment?
Yes! American Rotary UL Listed phase converters are designed to operate CNC equipment and other voltage sensitive applications Our
UL Listed 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 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 UL Listed phase converters loud?
American Rotary UL Listed phase converters are extremely quiet! The noise associated with a typical
rotary 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 a UL Listed
phase converter generator and control panel together?
Regardless of how quietly American Rotary UL Listed phase converters operate, some shops prefer to mount the generator away from the control panel. American Rotary
UL Listed 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 UL Listed 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.
American Rotary and new construction codes require installation by a licensed
electrician to meet all local and national codes.
Can I run multiple machines with my American Rotary
UL Listed phase converter?
Absolutely! American Rotary UL Listed 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 UL Listed 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 UL Listed phase converters use oil filled capacitors?
Always! In addition, only purchases first quality components direct from the manufacturer are used in our
UL Listed phase converter production. We do not ever buy overstocks, seconds, surplus, or closeouts.
What if I still have questions about
UL Listed 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.
|
