230v 3 Phase Covertor Wiring

[Joe S]

Has anyone fitted one of these before? I have a Motorun 8hp Static Convertor that I have been asked to wire in. The cabling is all there it's just the connection I was a little grey on after chatting with the guy. He said the for 400v option to use Black & Brown Phases only and the Grey to connect to the contactor?

This is a pic of the Wiring Centre on the machine, the convertor just has 3 Phase flex coming from a gland so didn't bother with that pic.

 

[Darkwood]

Normally we can help but without even basic info ....

What is the machine doing?
Who is this guy who says for the 400v option..the own i assume and if he's so clued up why isn't he doing it?
Can you at least give us a verbal layout of the wiring or even better sketch it out.....

Look at it from our point of view after reading your opening post we have very little to go on.

 

[Joe S]

Sorry, here are some details:

- The machine is a lathe
- The Guy that built and Supplied the Phase convertor stated in the instructions 230/ 400 options
- The circuit is a Type C 40A MCB feeding a 6mm 3-core SWA
- The SWA enters a 63A Rotary D.P Isolator before Feeding the Phase Convertor which has a Single Way Board with Maain Switch and 32A MCB
- The 3 Phase flex comes out of the convertor as 1.5mm 5 Core

I hope this helps?

 

[Knobhead]

That looks like a 3Ph standard contactor. Other than that still not enough information.

 

[Knobhead]

Try scanning the instructions

 

[Joe S]

This is the best I can do while at work.

 

[Joe S]

This is all the info I have.

 

[Gage]

It's retaining those voltage options to control gear, eg contactors, relays, solenoids, bla bla bla. Anything which is 400v (or 415v) must only use the black and brown phases. And anything single phase must only use black and blue for control 'gear'. So what is it you're trying to wire here exactly? All you've posted is a crude photo of what looks like a contactor and not asked for an application. Are you just trying to wire a supply to the Φ Converter?

 

[cossie400]

To me, connect your 1.5mm 5 core flex as per the "converter output" instruction you have there and that's it.
If you don't have any additional control gear then don't worry, but if there is connect it as per the "red note" for either 3 phase or single phase control gear.

 

[Darkwood]

Im unsure this is the correct application for your lathe.... static converters are a crude way of running a 3ph motor all be it tried and tested for many years at low cost.. .effectively you will be derating the motor to approx half its value to start with and also this method is really only good for short durations in use.

Incorrect use, set-up or loading can damage both the motor and the converter... why have you gone for a static converter or are you just the guy been told to connect it.

From you letter all you need to do is connect your phase colours as is at the moment and then look at the coil rating on the contactor, if its 230/240 v then you will have an existing N connection somewhere in the set-up which you connect blue to, if you have a 400/415v coil on the contactor then you dont need the N to work the contactor although it may be needed for other controls if the existing set up used a N before i.e. indicator lamp.

Just copy the 3ph supply input already there, if it dosn't have a N then dont use your new supply output N.

 

[Joe S]

The one thing I don't get is it's a 3 phase connection using the Black & Brown phases only and obviously Blue is neutral but where do I connect the Grey to?

 

[Joe S]

Im unsure this is the correct application for your lathe.... static converters are a crude way of running a 3ph motor all be it tried and tested for many years at low cost.. .effectively you will be derating the motor to approx half its value to start with and also this method is really only good for short durations in use.

Incorrect use, set-up or loading can damage both the motor and the inverter... why have you gone for a static converter or are you just the guy been told to connect it.

I was working for my Electric Gate Man at the farm where this carpenter has his workshop and he asked me if I could supply the feed from the board to an Isolator so I agreed. He then springs this little box of tricks on me and asks me to wire it up and as I had never done these before I just wanted some advice instead of going in blind.

 

[cossie400]

The one thing I don't get is it's a 3 phase connection using the Black & Brown phases only and obviously Blue is neutral but where do I connect the Grey to?

Thats just additional control gear if there is any.

 

[Joe S]

Control gear being what mate, an extra outlet on the machine for example?

 

[Darkwood]

Id be a little apprehensive of fitting a static ph converter to a variable loaded motor, its crude design is good for short duration use on light loaded motors.... ring the manufacturer up and discuss what you wish to use the application for... explain your an electrician not an electrical engineer and take their advice.

Secondly looking at the contactor and wiring i very much doubt this lathe is in compliance with regulations, has the lathe just been purchased by customer is so it should be upgraded to meet safety standards for woodworking machinery.

I see the pickle you are in here your been asked to do a job which really isn't your field and your customer thinks cos it has wires an electrician is the plug and play anything electric person, may be best to explain your unfamiliarity of the converter and machinery, therefore you cannot connect it. Let us know what the manufactureres say, explain its a lathe and ask them if its an ideal application as you can guarantee light loading of the motor.