Can an electric press be converted from single to three phase?

[ZooCity]

Specifically a Sportsman EX.  I'm going to call M&R about this in the morn of course but wondered if anyone here had done it.   I'm guessing that it's a big no. 

[Binkspot]

Your only going to save a few amps plus pull an extra wire by going 3 phase over single.

[TCT]

Piss poor answer here, but technically yes- I think.   Something about doubling up one leg. If Brian doesn't jump in with the actual answer, I'll get a hold of the guy who I was talking to about something similar. May not till tomorrow though.

May be a pain with multiple motors though if it is all AC.

[TCT]

Ha! Brian jumped in before I could even post!

[sqslabs]

Your only going to save a few amps plus pull an extra wire by going 3 phase over single.

I had an electrician mention this to me the other day, and was surprised when I heard it as I was under the impression that there was more of a benefit to going 3-phase.  How about for the quartz flash units?

[Shanarchy]

Is there a particular reason you want to convert it to 3 phase?

If you only have 3 phase power you should still be able to run single phase equipment.

[Binkspot]

Higher amp draw there are benifits, mainly in rotating equipment like motors. Less draw, smaller wire, basicly dividing the amp draw one three wires over two and more powerful.

My press draws 20A single phase some where around 16 three phase. Old shop was single new has three, never bothered to switch over, one less wire to pull, service drop cheaper and smaller conduit was needed.

[Shanarchy]

Higher amp draw there are benifits, mainly in rotating equipment like motors. Less draw, smaller wire, basicly dividing the amp draw one three wires over two and more powerful.

My press draws 20A single phase some where around 16 three phase. Old shop was single new has three, never bothered to switch over, one less wire to pull, service drop cheaper and smaller conduit was needed.

Ahhh ask and you shall find out.

A little off topic, but as I'm getting my electric down now, my 3 phase panel main breaker is 100 amp. I'm adding up the amps of all the breakers we are putting in (30, 30, 30, 50, 50). Am I going to have to be looking at having to do a service upgrade? Or does 3 phase follow a different magical rule?

[Binkspot]

That's something I will not discuss on an open fourm. I will say this much look at what stuff is really drawing and what may or may not be drawing most of the amps at the same time.

Hint a compressor with a name plate that says 30a may only need that much to start, once it's going maybe 15A. A quarts flash will not draw nearly the amps once it's hot as opposed to the first flash of the day.

[sqslabs]

Higher amp draw there are benifits, mainly in rotating equipment like motors. Less draw, smaller wire, basicly dividing the amp draw one three wires over two and more powerful.

My press draws 20A single phase some where around 16 three phase. Old shop was single new has three, never bothered to switch over, one less wire to pull, service drop cheaper and smaller conduit was needed.

Interesting, thanks for the info.  It may save me some scrilla on my installation.   

[ZooCity]

This is 22a v 38a. Good extra info here! 

3ph motors are actually more efficient in addition to what's been said.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[Shanarchy]

That's something I will not discuss on an open fourm. I will say this much look at what stuff is really drawing and what may or may not be drawing most of the amps at the same time.

Hint a compressor with a name plate that says 30a may only need that much to start, once it's going maybe 15A. A quarts flash will not draw nearly the amps once it's hot as opposed to the first flash of the day.

Gothca.

That was the other thing I was thinking about, peak draw vs typical draw.

I respect not wanting to discuss it on an open forum.

*Thread hijack over* 

[Gilligan]

*Thread hijack over* 

Almost...

http://t.harborfreight.com/digital-clamp-meter-96308.html

This can tell you the true draw of what is running or even the whole shop at any given time.  Super cheap compared to "name brand" versions, but gets the job done for us.  I also have a Field Piece and I grab whichever is available.  This can show you the true running draw of your compressor and such... Then just do the math.

*NOW thread jack is over

[Gilligan]

That's a serious draw Chris... Our Sabre is rated at 13 amps for single phase, I wish I had known that 3 phase was an option though... Guess I'd rather not pull a neutral as well and my 50 amp 3 phase breaker for my dryer was right under a hundred bucks!

[Shanarchy]

*Thread hijack over* 

Almost...

http://t.harborfreight.com/digital-clamp-meter-96308.html

This can tell you the true draw of what is running or even the whole shop at any given time.  Super cheap compared to "name brand" versions, but gets the job done for us.  I also have a Field Piece and I grab whichever is available.  This can show you the true running draw of your compressor and such... Then just do the math.

*NOW thread jack is over

Thanks Gill!