In article , dnichols@d-
and-d.com says...
In article ,
Chuck Sherwood wrote:
Would it be correct that all these phase converters that are not based
on motor/generators, are unable to run more than one 3 phase device at
a time.

That is not correct. Rotary phase converters are often used to
run multiple machines. One at a time or even more that one at a time.

Agreed -- but he said "*not* based on motor/generators", which I
think he intended to also exclude idlers used as rotary phase
converters. The idler motor is serving both as a motor and a generator
at the same time.

"Static" phase converters ("Phase-o-Matic" is an example) are

phase-A-matic ( -a- rather than -o- )

not only limited to running one thing at a time,

They're limited to *starting* one load at a time. Once you
have one motor running it (and every subsequent motor) acts
like a rotary converter allowing you to start another
motor, up to the capacity of the branch circuit.

but are also designed
for a fairly narrow range of load motor horsepower. If you need to
start a 1HP motor, and a 2-1/2 HP motor, the odds are that you can't
even switch the converter from one load to the other to run one at a
time, because the starting capacitor value will be wrong for at least
one of them.

I think most phase-A-matics have a 2:1 range, 3/4 to 1-1/2
HP, for example. You can get around this by creative use of
the motors in other machines as RPCs as mentioned above.
Not convenient, but will work in a pinch to get something
going that the static converter won't otherwise start.

One very important thing to note is that you should never
connect anything with sensitive electronics to the leg
being generated by a static converter. There are likely to
be spikes present on that leg that may damage solid state
controls, etc.

Ned Simmons