Canton CAnnon Works

Back to Main Canton Cannon Works Homepage

My Custom Designed 3-Phase Rotary Phase Converter

These 3-Phase Rotary Converters can be made for you to order.



The big motor is a 20 HP Cast Iron 3-phase motor.
The smaller motor is a 3/4 HP 220Volt starter motor.

Here is how this works.

Basically, what this set up does is generate power, so this big 20 HP motor is nothing more than a Generator.
I use a on/off temp switch that powers up the smaller 220Volt motor, then it revvs up the larger
one to its top speed (At one time, I used to use a drill with a hollow piece of steel that fit
over the shaft and engaged the keyway with a pin to get the big  motor started).
I turn off the smaller motor and at the same time, I switch on the 220 Volt 20
HP motor  which then runs on its own and delivers 2-phase power to my
machines. Without revving up the 3-phase motor with the smaller motor,
the 3-phase motor will not start and run on its own.
All it will do, is sit there and hum.

Normally, in this configuration, with nothing else added, the third leg of the 3-phase set up is not energized.
But in effect, it fakes out my machines thinking that they are being powered up with 3-phase current.
Unfortunately, with nothing else modified,  this set up can also damage my motors.  Also, this sort
of setup will not allow your motors on your machines to operate with their full capacity.

So, I have 2 sets of capacitors across leg 1 and  2 and leg 1 and 3 which normalizes and balances all
3 legs of the converter.  I have no more than 5 to 7% difference in current between any of the legs
that supply power.  This works perfectly:))

Also, when designing this type of power supply, keep in mind that you should have a 3-phase Cast Iron
motor that will have approximately 3 times the power rating of your largest machine
you want to have power delivered to.  In other words, lets say you have a
10 HP motor for a machine, you should have
approximately a 30 HP Converter.


Converter Installed


Starting Circuits



Capacitor Box



For more detailed information or general inquiries, please contact:


Canton Areawide Machining Services
Mike Kollmorgen, Owner
2925 26th St SE
Canton Ohio  44707
PH: 1 (330) 484-4929
Fax: 1 (330) 484-3334
Email: cams@neo.rr.com


Site Map
Home    Shop Equipment    Handy Information    Work Policy    Pricing Structure    Business Philosophy    Other Interesting Links
How To Find Us    Interesting Points Of View    Home For Sale    Contact Us    About Job Shop Machining