Printable Version | Subscribe | Add to Favourites
New Topic New Poll New Reply
Author: Subject: 3phase motor capacitors???
Talon Motorsport

posted on 22/1/14 at 09:41 PM Reply With Quote
3phase motor capacitors???

I need some help from those that know about 3 phase electric motors. I changed my knackered single phase 3hp compressor motor for a 5.5hp 3 phase so that I could run 2 pumps from the single motor, how ever the new motor did not come with run capacitor(s).
Now what I need to know is do I need a capacitor for every phase then join to the poles of the motor or is it a case of just putting one on a single phase to just kick start the motor??? Also what sort of rating would I need? any help would be great please before I either burn the motor out or burn the workshop down!

View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
deezee

posted on 22/1/14 at 09:50 PM Reply With Quote
A capacitor is to start a single phase motor otherwise the rotor would just sit there. You don't need any capacitors on a 3 phase motor.






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Talon Motorsport

posted on 22/1/14 at 10:06 PM Reply With Quote
I currently have the motor wired through the start/stop pressure switch but I'm not sure how long the switch will last as it is. It some times trips the 20amp MCB's so I wondered if I needed capcaitor(s) but looks like I need a higher rated MCB.
View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
deezee

posted on 22/1/14 at 10:06 PM Reply With Quote
Whats your supply, actual 3 phase or a phase convertor?






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Talon Motorsport

posted on 22/1/14 at 10:14 PM Reply With Quote
3 phase 3x 240v on a linked 16amp mcb I'll swap it out for 20amp and check that it's type C not A or B.
View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
deezee

posted on 22/1/14 at 10:23 PM Reply With Quote
When you say 3 x 240v, do you mean its a proper 415v supply, or you have taken 3 x feeds off a single phase consumer unit? Your motor shouldn't draw more than 20 amp, but we use C or D at work to stop the motors tripping the breakers.






View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
Talon Motorsport

posted on 22/1/14 at 10:31 PM Reply With Quote
proper 3 phase supply 240v each phase rated at 30amps each to my unit, I think I'll check what type the MCB is currently in the board as it could be that causing me the problem. The motor is only running one pump for now but it will need to run two soon so I need it sorted.
View User's Profile E-Mail User Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Wadders

posted on 22/1/14 at 10:34 PM Reply With Quote
Don't compressors usually employ a starter relay? If you've switched the motor from 1ph 3hp to 3 ph 5.5hp I think you will need the appropriate starter relay.
View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member
splitrivet

posted on 23/1/14 at 12:39 AM Reply With Quote
If you were running single phase you'll need to fit a 3 phase contactor and run the coil /o/load circuit through the pressure switch, on/off switch. You cant control it just by breaking one of the phases if you do the current load will go through the roof thats why its tripping the MCB and you run the risk of burning out the motor, whatever you do dont upgrade your MCB's as it sounds like you havent got an overload trip you do you will burn out your motor.
A 3 phase motor will draw less current than a single phase as you dont have the large start draw of a single phase.
A start capacitor gives a 90 degree (thereabouts) phase shift to kick the motor into life on a single phase high torque start motor a capacitor isnt used on a 3 phase motor thats why you have 3 phases.
If your stuck u2u me and I'll sketch you out a diagram of what you'll need.
Cheers,
Bob
[Edited on 23/1/14 by splitrivet]

[Edited on 23/1/14 by splitrivet]





I used to be a Werewolf but I'm alright nowwoooooooooooooo

View User's Profile Visit User's Homepage View All Posts By User U2U Member
Krismc

posted on 23/1/14 at 07:04 PM Reply With Quote
Got plenty of 3 phase starter panels lying around if you want to do it properly as above. In simple terms, switch the panel on, pulls contacts in, starts motor. Bobs your uncle, fannys ya aunt.





Built, Ivaed, Drove and now Sold - 2011 MNR VORTX RT+ 2000cc Zetec on R1 Throttle boddies.

View User's Profile View All Posts By User U2U Member

New Topic New Poll New Reply


go to top






Website design and SEO by Studio Montage

All content © 2001-16 LocostBuilders. Reproduction prohibited
Opinions expressed in public posts are those of the author and do not necessarily represent
the views of other users or any member of the LocostBuilders team.
Running XMB 1.8 Partagium [© 2002 XMB Group] on Apache under CentOS Linux
Founded, built and operated by ChrisW.