Talk:Phase converter

Untitled
In doing some research on phase converters, it can all be rather confusing when trying to choose which are better than others, particularly looking at 10HP models, and intrigued of the new phase converter on the market by Phase Perfect which introduces a Solid State Digital True 3 phase converter. Intended to be a 3rd choice as opposed to rotary and static. Wondering if anyone has comments on this new device, seems to be revolutionary to Phase Converters?

i have found that the rotary phase converter is alot more durable then all the others —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Special:Contributions/ (talk)

Worldwide view
I think the single phase to three phase converter is peculiar to the USA. In Europe, electricity is normally distributed as three phase, four wire, and single phase is obtained by tapping one phase wire and neutral. Biscuittin (talk) 00:03, 6 March 2009 (UTC)
 * Anyplace there's Single wire earth return distribution, I'd expect to find phase converters. I wouldn't be surprised if phase converters were runign all over the Australian outback. I would imagine even in the less densely populated areas of Europe there would be some single-phase distribution. If you *know* there's no such thing as a European phase converter, dig up a reference for us! --Wtshymanski (talk) 15:13, 6 March 2009 (UTC)


 * In the USA three phase power is available most everywhere in large metropolitan and rural areas. It is used to supply most every commercial and industrial customer. But there are *VERY* few residential dwellings that are wired for three phase power. Also some sections of the local distribution grid might only offer a single phase distribution. Case in point I live in New York City and my block, which is about 50 meters long has split phase three wire 120/240 volt power to each home (overhead distribution has three phase 2400/4160V high voltage for area distribution). Every other surrounding block has three phase 120/208V four wire for low voltage distribution. Now even though power is distributed in three phase, no home is wired to all three phases. Instead each home only taps two phases and the neutral leg. This allows the power company to alternate the homes connections between the three phases to balance out the load. So if a home has a small shop that needs three phase power it is much more economical to build or buy a phase converter to get three phase power. An upgrade to three phase would cost upward of ten thousand dollars and require a whole new meter pan, and panel board to be installed. Large apartment buildings might have a three phase supply but again it is divided to supply 120/208 single phase power to each dwelling unit. Some areas only have single phase high voltage for distribution, this is common in very rural areas and in some rare cases overhead distribution in large cities. Thaddeusw (talk) 00:11, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

incorrect description of Digital Converters
"By contrast, VFDs generate a PWM voltage that limits their versatility and makes them unsuitable for many applications". This is rather odd when immediately before a true Sinewave Inverter is described. FWIW, a VFD can be either Square Wave, Modified Squarewave, or True Sinewave output. Gutta Percha (talk) 01:47, 24 December 2019 (UTC)

Suggest merge
Suggest merging from Rotary phase converter; that would place that information in context and would allow a systematic comparision of the various approaches in one article, instead of redundantly in several stubs. --Wtshymanski (talk) 22:06, 7 May 2012 (UTC)


 * Oppose Phase converters are serious bits of kit, built by highly skilled engineers like Wtshymanski. Rotary phase converters, as described here (even if the article name doesn't make this entirely clear), are lash-ups with S/H motors, done by woodworkers buying cheap old machinery at auction. Different scope, even if there is some overlap in the defined function and even the principles. Andy Dingley (talk) 22:54, 7 May 2012 (UTC)
 * Oh, I don't do machine design...our local expert is three doors down from my office. But there are (or were) large rotary phase converters as well - the term seems to include more than the "wing and a prayer" home-brew or garage-built units. One of the many things I don't understand is why this niche doesn't seem to have been something that main-line manufacturers addressed, nor standards groups. --Wtshymanski (talk) 14:00, 8 May 2012 (UTC)

this is also three phase converter. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 117.205.102.129 (talk) 15:44, 30 March 2015 (UTC)

Efficiency of digital phase converters
The article claims of digital phase converters. "The converters operate at 95%–98% efficiency." However, I looked at the research paper cited (doi:10.1109/pedes.2016.7914362) and cannot find where it makes this claim. Can someone point me to where in the paper it says this? Acone (talk) 18:48, 3 February 2021 (UTC)

5th bullet in Conversion systems
The text of the 5th bullet: Methods in which the connection of the windings of the motor, normally a wye or delta configurations, are replaced with novel connections. These techniques are covered in patents of Dr. Otto J. M. Smith, such as US Patent 5,545,965 is marked with a, dated about 18 months ago. The text in question was added in 2007, with this edit, so probably not actively a promotion (the patent is from 1984). But the text is completely meaningless, other than a reference to a patent.

I've deleted the bullet, under WP:BOLD - revert and discuss here if anyone objects. Regards, Tarl N. ( discuss ) 03:09, 16 August 2021 (UTC)