I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,
Eric

wrote in message
...
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,


Basically I use a second idler to feed a second row of machines-it has it's
own mains breaker and the only time it is truly "connected" to all three
legs of the first converter is through a large single pole contactor when it
is initially being started up.

Tomorrow I'll look for the ladder I made when I built the thing, pretty sure
it popped up in one of my desk drawers a couple months ago and so I put it
into the contactor enclosure.

On Sun, 20 May 2012 21:32:23 -0700, "PrecisionmachinisT"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,


Basically I use a second idler to feed a second row of machines-it has it's
own mains breaker and the only time it is truly "connected" to all three
legs of the first converter is through a large single pole contactor when it
is initially being started up.

Tomorrow I'll look for the ladder I made when I built the thing, pretty sure
it popped up in one of my desk drawers a couple months ago and so I put it
into the contactor enclosure.



Thanks for the reply. By ladder do you mean a drawing of how it's all
connected? I'm only familiar with ladders you climb and ladder logic
drawings. I know I can parallel just motors, that is what happens when
machines are turned on. I don't know if I can parallel the capacitor
balanced output from a phase converter though. I suppose I could
parallel the extra idler motor to the existing motor and let the caps
balance the output of both motors but I'm not sure what that would do
to the voltage balance.
Eric

wrote in message
...
On Sun, 20 May 2012 21:32:23 -0700, "PrecisionmachinisT"
wrote:


wrote in message
. ..
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,


Basically I use a second idler to feed a second row of machines-it has
it's
own mains breaker and the only time it is truly "connected" to all three
legs of the first converter is through a large single pole contactor when
it
is initially being started up.

Tomorrow I'll look for the ladder I made when I built the thing, pretty
sure
it popped up in one of my desk drawers a couple months ago and so I put it
into the contactor enclosure.



Thanks for the reply. By ladder do you mean a drawing of how it's all
connected?

Specifically, the contactor coils, auxillary contacts, overload heaters,
start and stop push buttons and so forth.

I'm only familiar with ladders you climb and ladder logic
drawings. I know I can parallel just motors, that is what happens when
machines are turned on. I don't know if I can parallel the capacitor
balanced output from a phase converter though.

Pretty sure it's best to balance each converter separately, with no load,
adding additional run caps at the actual load.

FWIW, I don't have any voltage correction caps on my system at all.

IIRC I typically I get ~218, 220 and 238; someday, I might burn out a
coolant pump or something from the imbalance but since it's been going on 15
years now and so I'm not all that worried.


I suppose I could
parallel the extra idler motor to the existing motor and let the caps
balance the output of both motors but I'm not sure what that would do
to the voltage balance.


IMO, best to feed each one from it's own breaker in the mains panel, and
have each one supply a dedicated load.

Also, in order that inrush doesn't go clear through the roof, never try to
start them both at the same time.

"PrecisionmachinisT" wrote in message ...

wrote in message
...
On Sun, 20 May 2012 21:32:23 -0700, "PrecisionmachinisT"
wrote:


wrote in message
...
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,


Basically I use a second idler to feed a second row of machines-it has
it's
own mains breaker and the only time it is truly "connected" to all three
legs of the first converter is through a large single pole contactor when
it
is initially being started up.

Tomorrow I'll look for the ladder I made when I built the thing, pretty
sure
it popped up in one of my desk drawers a couple months ago and so I put it
into the contactor enclosure.



Thanks for the reply. By ladder do you mean a drawing of how it's all
connected?

Specifically, the contactor coils, auxillary contacts, overload heaters,
start and stop push buttons and so forth.

I'm only familiar with ladders you climb and ladder logic
drawings. I know I can parallel just motors, that is what happens when
machines are turned on. I don't know if I can parallel the capacitor
balanced output from a phase converter though.

Pretty sure it's best to balance each converter separately, with no load,
adding additional run caps at the actual load.

FWIW, I don't have any voltage correction caps on my system at all.

IIRC I typically I get ~218, 220 and 238; someday, I might burn out a
coolant pump or something from the imbalance but since it's been going on 15
years now and so I'm not all that worried.


I suppose I could
parallel the extra idler motor to the existing motor and let the caps
balance the output of both motors but I'm not sure what that would do
to the voltage balance.


IMO, best to feed each one from it's own breaker in the mains panel, and
have each one supply a dedicated load.

Also, in order that inrush doesn't go clear through the roof, never try to
start them both at the same time.


Sorry, found my schematic but it is incomplete, apparently I made some last minute changes and failed to document them

--I could reverse engineer if you for sure wanted to copy my design but at the end of the day, you're probably better off simply installing a second converter that operates as a stand-alone unit.

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,
Eric

I used to do this, it is not a problem and works better than one big
idler. I no longer do it,m because I moved to a warehouse with 800A 3
phase.

i

On Mon, 21 May 2012 20:53:36 -0500, Ignoramus20629
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,
Eric

I used to do this, it is not a problem and works better than one big
idler. I no longer do it,m because I moved to a warehouse with 800A 3
phase.

i
Did you parallel rotary phase converters that used capacitors to
balance the voltage? Because this is what I want to do. I need only
a little more power when running both machines but the extra converter
is not powerful enough by itself to run either machine.
Eric

On Mon, 21 May 2012 11:23:53 -0700, "PrecisionmachinisT"
wrote:


"PrecisionmachinisT" wrote in message ...

wrote in message
...
On Sun, 20 May 2012 21:32:23 -0700, "PrecisionmachinisT"
wrote:


wrote in message
m...
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,


Basically I use a second idler to feed a second row of machines-it has
it's
own mains breaker and the only time it is truly "connected" to all three
legs of the first converter is through a large single pole contactor when
it
is initially being started up.

Tomorrow I'll look for the ladder I made when I built the thing, pretty
sure
it popped up in one of my desk drawers a couple months ago and so I put it
into the contactor enclosure.



Thanks for the reply. By ladder do you mean a drawing of how it's all
connected?

Specifically, the contactor coils, auxillary contacts, overload heaters,
start and stop push buttons and so forth.

I'm only familiar with ladders you climb and ladder logic
drawings. I know I can parallel just motors, that is what happens when
machines are turned on. I don't know if I can parallel the capacitor
balanced output from a phase converter though.

Pretty sure it's best to balance each converter separately, with no load,
adding additional run caps at the actual load.

FWIW, I don't have any voltage correction caps on my system at all.

IIRC I typically I get ~218, 220 and 238; someday, I might burn out a
coolant pump or something from the imbalance but since it's been going on 15
years now and so I'm not all that worried.


I suppose I could
parallel the extra idler motor to the existing motor and let the caps
balance the output of both motors but I'm not sure what that would do
to the voltage balance.


IMO, best to feed each one from it's own breaker in the mains panel, and
have each one supply a dedicated load.

Also, in order that inrush doesn't go clear through the roof, never try to
start them both at the same time.


Sorry, found my schematic but it is incomplete, apparently I made some last minute changes and failed to document them

--I could reverse engineer if you for sure wanted to copy my design but at the end of the day, you're probably better off simply installing a second converter that operates as a stand-alone unit.
The problem is that the extra rotary converter that I have is not
enough by itself to power either machine. Both machines will run on
the existing converter at the same time but when both spindles are
loaded to the max (actually, one spindle is loaded to120%) I get the
low voltage alarm. The 120% load is brief but often enough on one
particular job that the extra converter, or a bigger one, is needed.
Eric

On 2012-05-22, wrote:
On Mon, 21 May 2012 20:53:36 -0500, Ignoramus20629
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,
Eric

I used to do this, it is not a problem and works better than one big
idler. I no longer do it,m because I moved to a warehouse with 800A 3
phase.

i
Did you parallel rotary phase converters that used capacitors to
balance the voltage? Because this is what I want to do. I need only
a little more power when running both machines but the extra converter
is not powerful enough by itself to run either machine.
Eric

I used parallel idlers and run capacitors on both L1-L3 and L2-L3.

i

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel?

They should be. Each additional one adds capacity (including
each bare three phase motor running from the same generated line), as
long as the wiring from the breaker box is capable of providing
sufficient current.

But this does *not* apply to things like VFDs.

If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically?

It happens automatically -- during a moment's high current surge
as the extra idler is being spun up. (Note that all you need is an
extra three phase motor -- not the starting circuitry which is
associated with the primary rotary converter. If you make your own, you
know what to leave off. If you are buying them commercially, it is more
tricky to know what to disconnect.

What about voltage differences between the
converters?

Self adjusting -- other than the fact that adding idlers without
tuning capacitors may increase the imbalance in the output voltage.

I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.

You seem to be talking about a VFD here, not a rotary converter.
You certainly don't want to try to parallel up multiple VFDs, as there
is no way to synchronize them -- unless the manufacturer added it as a
special feature.

And if you are running a VFD for the spindle motors, you should
not need a rotary converter. The VFD can simply be obtained with some
extra capacity, and (assuming that it is not made to totally give up in
the absence of a third phase) it can generate the third phase for your
spindle motor.

And VFDs are not normal loads for rotary converters, so you may
have strange things happen there -- especially with multiple VFDs
running from one rotary converter.

More details about what you are doing/trying to do might help
get better answers, since I know that I had to try to guess what you are
doing.

Good Luck,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

On 22 May 2012 05:28:10 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel?

They should be. Each additional one adds capacity (including
each bare three phase motor running from the same generated line), as
long as the wiring from the breaker box is capable of providing
sufficient current.

But this does *not* apply to things like VFDs.

If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically?

It happens automatically -- during a moment's high current surge
as the extra idler is being spun up. (Note that all you need is an
extra three phase motor -- not the starting circuitry which is
associated with the primary rotary converter. If you make your own, you
know what to leave off. If you are buying them commercially, it is more
tricky to know what to disconnect.

What about voltage differences between the
converters?

Self adjusting -- other than the fact that adding idlers without
tuning capacitors may increase the imbalance in the output voltage.

I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.

You seem to be talking about a VFD here, not a rotary converter.
You certainly don't want to try to parallel up multiple VFDs, as there
is no way to synchronize them -- unless the manufacturer added it as a
special feature.

And if you are running a VFD for the spindle motors, you should
not need a rotary converter. The VFD can simply be obtained with some
extra capacity, and (assuming that it is not made to totally give up in
the absence of a third phase) it can generate the third phase for your
spindle motor.

And VFDs are not normal loads for rotary converters, so you may
have strange things happen there -- especially with multiple VFDs
running from one rotary converter.

More details about what you are doing/trying to do might help
get better answers, since I know that I had to try to guess what you are
doing.

Good Luck,
DoN.
Greetings DoN,
The machines I'm running are CNC machines. They both use VFD spindle
drives that require 3 phases. I have a rotary phase converter running
both machines. It's fine most of the time but when each machine is
running at top speed one machine, the lathe with the 15 hp spindle
motor, will stop because the spindle drive senses low voltage. This
actually happens when the spindle load meter reaches 120%. The high
load is only a couple seconds in duration during each pass but it
doesn't happen when only the lathe is running. So since I have another
7.5 hp rotary phase converter I was hoping I could parallel it's
output to the existing 15 hp rotary phase converter. Both converters
have capacitors to balance the output and I am concerned that
paralleling the outputs after the caps might result in unwanted
exitement.
Thanks,
Eric

On Mon, 21 May 2012 21:47:00 -0500, Ignoramus20629
wrote:

On 2012-05-22, wrote:
On Mon, 21 May 2012 20:53:36 -0500, Ignoramus20629
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,
Eric

I used to do this, it is not a problem and works better than one big
idler. I no longer do it,m because I moved to a warehouse with 800A 3
phase.

i
Did you parallel rotary phase converters that used capacitors to
balance the voltage? Because this is what I want to do. I need only
a little more power when running both machines but the extra converter
is not powerful enough by itself to run either machine.
Eric

I used parallel idlers and run capacitors on both L1-L3 and L2-L3.

i
Did you switch the idlers in and out as needed? This is my goal, to
use the seconc RPC only when needed.
Eric

On 2012-05-22, wrote:
On Mon, 21 May 2012 21:47:00 -0500, Ignoramus20629
wrote:

On 2012-05-22, wrote:
On Mon, 21 May 2012 20:53:36 -0500, Ignoramus20629
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel? If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically? What about voltage differences between the
converters? I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.
Thanks,
Eric

I used to do this, it is not a problem and works better than one big
idler. I no longer do it,m because I moved to a warehouse with 800A 3
phase.

i
Did you parallel rotary phase converters that used capacitors to
balance the voltage? Because this is what I want to do. I need only
a little more power when running both machines but the extra converter
is not powerful enough by itself to run either machine.
Eric

I used parallel idlers and run capacitors on both L1-L3 and L2-L3.

i
Did you switch the idlers in and out as needed? This is my goal, to
use the seconc RPC only when needed.
Eric

No, I always ran both. I had a starting sequence. When both were
turned on, the capacitors balanced the legs correctly.

You can do it differently.

i

wrote in message
...
On 22 May 2012 05:28:10 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel?

They should be. Each additional one adds capacity (including
each bare three phase motor running from the same generated line), as
long as the wiring from the breaker box is capable of providing
sufficient current.

But this does *not* apply to things like VFDs.

If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically?

It happens automatically -- during a moment's high current surge
as the extra idler is being spun up. (Note that all you need is an
extra three phase motor -- not the starting circuitry which is
associated with the primary rotary converter. If you make your own, you
know what to leave off. If you are buying them commercially, it is more
tricky to know what to disconnect.

What about voltage differences between the
converters?

Self adjusting -- other than the fact that adding idlers without
tuning capacitors may increase the imbalance in the output voltage.

I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.

You seem to be talking about a VFD here, not a rotary converter.
You certainly don't want to try to parallel up multiple VFDs, as there
is no way to synchronize them -- unless the manufacturer added it as a
special feature.

And if you are running a VFD for the spindle motors, you should
not need a rotary converter. The VFD can simply be obtained with some
extra capacity, and (assuming that it is not made to totally give up in
the absence of a third phase) it can generate the third phase for your
spindle motor.

And VFDs are not normal loads for rotary converters, so you may
have strange things happen there -- especially with multiple VFDs
running from one rotary converter.

More details about what you are doing/trying to do might help
get better answers, since I know that I had to try to guess what you are
doing.

Good Luck,
DoN.
Greetings DoN,
The machines I'm running are CNC machines. They both use VFD spindle
drives that require 3 phases. I have a rotary phase converter running
both machines. It's fine most of the time but when each machine is
running at top speed one machine, the lathe with the 15 hp spindle
motor, will stop because the spindle drive senses low voltage. This
actually happens when the spindle load meter reaches 120%. The high
load is only a couple seconds in duration during each pass but it
doesn't happen when only the lathe is running. So since I have another
7.5 hp rotary phase converter I was hoping I could parallel it's
output to the existing 15 hp rotary phase converter. Both converters
have capacitors to balance the output and I am concerned that
paralleling the outputs after the caps might result in unwanted
exitement.
Thanks,


Although technically, two 10 hp idlers is equal to a single 20hp one, I
don't think that an additional 7-1/2 hp is going to be enough to take care
of the problems you are having with voltage sag on the generated leg.

Fairly easy test would be to add the 7-1/.2 hp unit right there at the
suspect machinem so that when the mains are thrown, it automatically comes
on-line.

Otherwisem you could run a mew 60 amp single phase branch circuit directly
to the fadal and install your 7-1/2 hp phase converter again, right there at
the bottom of the fadal mains switch, so that when the switch gets thrown,
rhe converter automatically comes on....

But this time, disconnect the spindle inverter from the transformer in the
rear cabinet, and reconnect it to run off of single phase (directly off of
the mains switch, same place where you connected the 7-1/2 hp idler). ( in
order to run the inverter from single phase, connect L1 and L2 to single
phase and then place a jumper between l2 and L3 ) Then reset the parameter
to reflect that the machine is single phase--this will make the
accelleration ramp a bit more gradual. The 7-1/2 hp idler should be more
than enough to run the computer and servo drives, and although you'll need
to derate your spindle continuous horsepower somewhat, at the end of the day
you're not going to miss much in the way of lost production, it's emminently
reversable, and best of all, costs next to nothing.

Anyways, too time consuming writing this crap out, pretty sure I still have
your number and plenty of minutes left--I'll give you a jingle if you can
let me know when is a good.

On 2012-05-22, wrote:
On 22 May 2012 05:28:10 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:

[ ... ]

And VFDs are not normal loads for rotary converters, so you may
have strange things happen there -- especially with multiple VFDs
running from one rotary converter.

More details about what you are doing/trying to do might help
get better answers, since I know that I had to try to guess what you are
doing.

Good Luck,
DoN.
Greetings DoN,
The machines I'm running are CNC machines. They both use VFD spindle
drives that require 3 phases.

Are you sure that they absolutely *require* three phase input?
Most are designed to run from three phase, but will run quite well from
single phase, with a little derating. (Say take a 5 HP motor and hang
it on a 7.5 HP VFD -- as long as you can keep the VFD from considering
that a phase loss. Sometimes, the trick is to connect two of the input
phases to the same wire, and sometimes you can tell it to ignore "lost
phase" conditions.

I have a rotary phase converter running
both machines. It's fine most of the time but when each machine is
running at top speed one machine, the lathe with the 15 hp spindle
motor, will stop because the spindle drive senses low voltage. This
actually happens when the spindle load meter reaches 120%. The high
load is only a couple seconds in duration during each pass but it
doesn't happen when only the lathe is running. So since I have another
7.5 hp rotary phase converter I was hoping I could parallel it's
output to the existing 15 hp rotary phase converter. Both converters
have capacitors to balance the output and I am concerned that
paralleling the outputs after the caps might result in unwanted
exitement.

It should not. Connect them together before starting them

You might check whether a different value of capacitors total
will give better balance.

You might also check whether the balance shifts when you up the
load to maximum (or 120% in your case). In that case, perhaps a
different tuning of the capacitors would keep the problem from
reoccurring.

Are your rotary converters commercial ones, or ones built from
kits and components? You can usually just use an otherwised unused
three phase motor in parallel with the existing rotary converter. Once
you have it connected, try adjusting the capacitors for better balance.
The combination may not start so you will want to start the commercial
rotary converter first, then switch the second one on, and then finally
start the machine tools.

But in any case, rotary converters are made to power motors, and
a VFD is a very different load, so if you can get the existing VFDs to
run from single phase -- or replace them with ones which will run from
single phase, you will probably be better off.

Is there anything else in the machines which really needs three
phase, or just the spindle motors?

Good Luck,
DoN.

--
Remove oil spill source from e-mail
Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564
(too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html
--- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero ---

On 23 May 2012 00:27:48 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2012-05-22, wrote:
On 22 May 2012 05:28:10 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:

[ ... ]

And VFDs are not normal loads for rotary converters, so you may
have strange things happen there -- especially with multiple VFDs
running from one rotary converter.

More details about what you are doing/trying to do might help
get better answers, since I know that I had to try to guess what you are
doing.

Good Luck,
DoN.
Greetings DoN,
The machines I'm running are CNC machines. They both use VFD spindle
drives that require 3 phases.

Are you sure that they absolutely *require* three phase input?
Most are designed to run from three phase, but will run quite well from
single phase, with a little derating. (Say take a 5 HP motor and hang
it on a 7.5 HP VFD -- as long as you can keep the VFD from considering
that a phase loss. Sometimes, the trick is to connect two of the input
phases to the same wire, and sometimes you can tell it to ignore "lost
phase" conditions.

I have a rotary phase converter running
both machines. It's fine most of the time but when each machine is
running at top speed one machine, the lathe with the 15 hp spindle
motor, will stop because the spindle drive senses low voltage. This
actually happens when the spindle load meter reaches 120%. The high
load is only a couple seconds in duration during each pass but it
doesn't happen when only the lathe is running. So since I have another
7.5 hp rotary phase converter I was hoping I could parallel it's
output to the existing 15 hp rotary phase converter. Both converters
have capacitors to balance the output and I am concerned that
paralleling the outputs after the caps might result in unwanted
exitement.

It should not. Connect them together before starting them

You might check whether a different value of capacitors total
will give better balance.

You might also check whether the balance shifts when you up the
load to maximum (or 120% in your case). In that case, perhaps a
different tuning of the capacitors would keep the problem from
reoccurring.

Are your rotary converters commercial ones, or ones built from
kits and components? You can usually just use an otherwised unused
three phase motor in parallel with the existing rotary converter. Once
you have it connected, try adjusting the capacitors for better balance.
The combination may not start so you will want to start the commercial
rotary converter first, then switch the second one on, and then finally
start the machine tools.

But in any case, rotary converters are made to power motors, and
a VFD is a very different load, so if you can get the existing VFDs to
run from single phase -- or replace them with ones which will run from
single phase, you will probably be better off.

Is there anything else in the machines which really needs three
phase, or just the spindle motors?

Good Luck,
DoN.
Greetings DoN,
The VFD in the lathe looks at all three inputs. I do not know if two
inpits can be tied together. The documentation for the spindle drive
is pretty spare. The servo amps also want 3 phase. It's a Fanuc
control so maybe I can find out from Fanuc whether the Fuji spindle
drive can be connected as you suggest. My rotary converters are both
commercial units. Since I bought the first one I have learned how to
build my own and have done so for a few friends. After thinking about
it I can see that it really shouldn't cause any problems connecting
the converters in parallel. Thanks for your help.
Eric

On Tue, 22 May 2012 09:10:08 -0700, "PrecisionmachinisT"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On 22 May 2012 05:28:10 GMT, "DoN. Nichols"
wrote:

On 2012-05-21, wrote:
I have read here that some folks use more than one phase converter in
their shops and just turn on more converters as the load increases.
Are these rotary converters connected in parallel?

They should be. Each additional one adds capacity (including
each bare three phase motor running from the same generated line), as
long as the wiring from the breaker box is capable of providing
sufficient current.

But this does *not* apply to things like VFDs.

If so, is there a
concern about them being in phase which each other? Does this just
happen automatically?

It happens automatically -- during a moment's high current surge
as the extra idler is being spun up. (Note that all you need is an
extra three phase motor -- not the starting circuitry which is
associated with the primary rotary converter. If you make your own, you
know what to leave off. If you are buying them commercially, it is more
tricky to know what to disconnect.

What about voltage differences between the
converters?

Self adjusting -- other than the fact that adding idlers without
tuning capacitors may increase the imbalance in the output voltage.

I'm asking because it seems that with both machines
running at top speed there is a voltage drop which causes one machine
to alarm out. The spindle drive senses a too low voltage condition and
stops the machine.

You seem to be talking about a VFD here, not a rotary converter.
You certainly don't want to try to parallel up multiple VFDs, as there
is no way to synchronize them -- unless the manufacturer added it as a
special feature.

And if you are running a VFD for the spindle motors, you should
not need a rotary converter. The VFD can simply be obtained with some
extra capacity, and (assuming that it is not made to totally give up in
the absence of a third phase) it can generate the third phase for your
spindle motor.

And VFDs are not normal loads for rotary converters, so you may
have strange things happen there -- especially with multiple VFDs
running from one rotary converter.

More details about what you are doing/trying to do might help
get better answers, since I know that I had to try to guess what you are
doing.

Good Luck,
DoN.
Greetings DoN,
The machines I'm running are CNC machines. They both use VFD spindle
drives that require 3 phases. I have a rotary phase converter running
both machines. It's fine most of the time but when each machine is
running at top speed one machine, the lathe with the 15 hp spindle
motor, will stop because the spindle drive senses low voltage. This
actually happens when the spindle load meter reaches 120%. The high
load is only a couple seconds in duration during each pass but it
doesn't happen when only the lathe is running. So since I have another
7.5 hp rotary phase converter I was hoping I could parallel it's
output to the existing 15 hp rotary phase converter. Both converters
have capacitors to balance the output and I am concerned that
paralleling the outputs after the caps might result in unwanted
exitement.
Thanks,


Although technically, two 10 hp idlers is equal to a single 20hp one, I
don't think that an additional 7-1/2 hp is going to be enough to take care
of the problems you are having with voltage sag on the generated leg.

Fairly easy test would be to add the 7-1/.2 hp unit right there at the
suspect machinem so that when the mains are thrown, it automatically comes
on-line.

Otherwisem you could run a mew 60 amp single phase branch circuit directly
to the fadal and install your 7-1/2 hp phase converter again, right there at
the bottom of the fadal mains switch, so that when the switch gets thrown,
rhe converter automatically comes on....

But this time, disconnect the spindle inverter from the transformer in the
rear cabinet, and reconnect it to run off of single phase (directly off of
the mains switch, same place where you connected the 7-1/2 hp idler). ( in
order to run the inverter from single phase, connect L1 and L2 to single
phase and then place a jumper between l2 and L3 ) Then reset the parameter
to reflect that the machine is single phase--this will make the
accelleration ramp a bit more gradual. The 7-1/2 hp idler should be more
than enough to run the computer and servo drives, and although you'll need
to derate your spindle continuous horsepower somewhat, at the end of the day
you're not going to miss much in the way of lost production, it's emminently
reversable, and best of all, costs next to nothing.

Anyways, too time consuming writing this crap out, pretty sure I still have
your number and plenty of minutes left--I'll give you a jingle if you can
let me know when is a good.

I'll be in my shop most all of thursday and friday and maybe I'll get
lucky and get to spend 1/2 a day in my shop today. Today is one of
those meeting with customers type day where you need to see them at
their place to discuss their on site projects.
Thanks,
Eric