Rotary Phase Converter
A rotary phase converter (RPC) is an electromechanical device that converts single-phase electrical power into three-phase power, which is often required for industrial machinery. Here’s how it works:
- Input Power: Single-phase power is supplied to the rotary phase converter.
- Idler Motor: The heart of the converter is an idler motor (also called a “rotating transformer”). This motor generates a rotating magnetic field.
- Generation of Third Phase: The idler motor produces a third voltage (phase) by utilizing the rotating magnetic field. The converter uses capacitors to balance the voltage and phase angles of all three phases.
- Output Power: The output from the converter is a simulated three-phase power, which can be used to run three-phase equipment. The output power is not a perfect three-phase supply like that from the grid, but it is usually sufficient to run many types of three-phase machinery efficiently.
Phase Quest Inc. specializes in converting Single Phase electrical power to Three Phase electrical power. The diagram below provides a very simple view of the layout.
An additional 3-phase breaker panel may be installed on the line between the converter control panel and the 3-phase equipment. This is recommended to protect each piece of equipment and the wire that feeds that equipment.
