Ten Questions you should ask your phase converter manufacturer before you buy
1) How long have you been building converters ?
It takes many years to prove and improve a design as field conditions and environments vary, after all you want a converter that will last more than ten years ?, well pick a manufacturer that has.
Check the A.S.I.C web site to review the companies viability..you may be surprised.
2) Is the controller site condition adaptable ?
“One size fits All” ? you need to be able to change values , settings parameters on site and sometimes programs !
3) Is the controller field serviceable?
Intergrated controllers that combine capacitor switching , power supply, transducer and CPU make life easier for the manufacturer.
But give you ONE option when one item fails , take it back to the manufacture !,
Your best option is separated components ie: power supply , PLC , transducer, capacitor switching if any item fails it can be replaced on site with limited down time and alternates can used
if the original is not available or the company is insolvent.
4) Are your converters fitted with a Bi-metal thermal overload as required by AS3000 ?
Its in the AS3000 wiring rules for several very good reasons, a bi-metal thermal overload, not a fuse, not a circuit breaker, not electronicly monitored.
Only a bi-metal thermal overload that is in line with the rotary
is the effective compliant method to protect the rotary, don’t buy a converter that does not have one! .
*** Note : You will not be able to claim successfully on your insurance fusion policy without one ***
5) Does your company use products from manufactures who have a presence in Australia ?
Don’t get caught up down the track with unproven components that are exclusive to the manufacturer or from manufacturers that do not have a presence in Australia.
It would be very difficult to make a warranty claim from a company that does not have a presence in Australia , you want to be able to go to your local electrical wholesaler to get spares.
6) Is your converter vermin proof ?
If you live in a rural environment don’t buy any electrical equipment that is not vermin proof, but don’t take my word for it .. just ask any dairy farmer about mice and the damage they can do !
7) Are you licensed, capable and have the capacity to offer field service ?
You need accurate advise that only a licenced electrician can provide.
8) Get the truth on performance …Check the Specification !
The truth on performance is in the specification, “We are the best” “We are the smartest” ask why.. compare the specification i.e the processor, the built-in protection software, the hard wired protection equipment, and where are the components sourced from ?
What is the no-load and on-load power consumption of the converter ?
9) Does your converter have mains supply voltage monitoring ?
In rural areas the mains input supply can vary, it needs to be closely monitored within +/- 6% and the end
user needs to be able to vary the parameters on site if required.
10) What protection features are included in your converter and can I diagnose faults on site myself ?
When things go wrong you want to make the diagnosis process easy, a text screen interface is the best method to tell the operator what’s gone wrong.
They both acceptable methods of switching capacitors, electronic switching is done at zero point or at cross over in the AC cycle wave with minimum stress on both components, if contactors are used current limiting at switch-on can be used to provide the same benefit and has proven more reliable long term when set up correctly, not to mention easy to fault find and you can go to your local electrical wholesaler for spares.
Yes, as a rotary converter is a linear device it produces a smooth sine wave similar to supply utility power. This can be used to operate sensitive control equipment like: timers, counters,contactors, & PLCs
No , in most cases no modification is required to the control circuits of the three phase machine.
Distance from the power source does not effect the converter provided the correct size cable is used to allow for voltage drop…… a tip go for a larger size cable than required , it pays off in the long run.
No, as the converters is a linear device & does not contain high speed switching devices EMC requirements are not a issue.. in this regard.
This system is incorporated in the control system of rotary converters from models R/15 & above, it monitors the output power supply & maintains output asymmetry by way of 4 stage capacitor switching to 6 stage for larger converters, thereby offering only the power required to suit the load, delivering benefits through providing a stable output supply.
Put simply it tells you what the fault is by way of a text display, from 8 to 12 text messages are used to guide you though several supply / application & converters faults. Available in models R/15 & above
This is a add on feature to our models R15 & above, it has proven to be a very useful feature for applications that consist of several three phase loads to operate from one rotary converter over long or short distances with no control circuit signal to the converter to indicate a start or stop signal, this feature senses when a three phase load is turned off or On the LoadTrak system senses this & starts or stops the converter with no control wiring required.
As a guide one KVA per HP to be operated at one time.
The converter can last longer than the motors and equipment being used , it operates very cool under load. Temperature rise is greatest under no load conditions.
Firstly it is not a standard motor , it’s a compensation drive with a modified rotor that provides no torque , the windings are modified to react with the converter to produce the center phase only dependent on the draw or the demand placed on the center phase (L2) from the three phase output.
Yes , there are many units in use throughout Australia and the World , the POLYPHAZ also has world standard SIRM approval, also C-Tick 
approved N10944
Rotary converters come standard with a two wire control option to operate the converter only when three phase power is required , this can be supplied from a thermostat or a pressure switch to operate the converter and in turn supply three phase power to the load , as well you can take advantage of off peak tariffs from your supply authority. For more complex controls ( i.e.. several motors to supply from the converter ) a LSD unit ( load sense device ) is available as an optional extra , this monitors the demand for three phase power and operates the converter only when three phase is required.
It needs to go into an enclosed area with adequate ventilation to allow for cooling and protection from the weather , i.e.. shed or workshop etc..
You can only use the output of the converter for small single phase loads and only L1 phase can be used with the supply neutral.
Dual phase or two phase as it is commonly referred to is a single phase 480/500volt supply split with a center tap neutral to provide 480/500volt from the outer points ( L1, L2 ) and 240volt from L1, L2 to neutral , this is the best option particularly for large three phase loads as the current draw is half of 240volt single phase.
Take a look at the Technical Data web page , you will see a current converter guide.
Yes , but consult us for advice.
Firstly the POLYPHAZ unit is not an inverter it is a converter and as such does not contain high speed switching devices that can distort the input power supply and produce harmonics, as a result of this the POLYPHAZ converter can utilize a 100% of the supply transformer capacity unlike inverters which have a rating to supply transformer ratio of approx. 10% of the supply capacity transformer unfiltered as per AS2279 part two.
No , all converters come complete with a time delay device to allow the converter to get up to speed before the output contactor is energized and three phases are available.