220v single phase to 220v 3 phase

[jacohelm]

Hi all

I am hoping that someone here can maybe give me some pointers as to what equipment I can use to turn a single phase 5kw generator into a 3 phase generator. The problem is, my house is wired with 3 phase electricity (yeah, not even I understand why) but getting a 3 phase generator is currently not an option, mainly due to the price and also due to the fact that I have a perfectly good 5Kw diesel geni already.

Issue is, when loadshedding or normal power failures kicks in, I need to hook the generator up to a normal plug as the transfer switch and plug fitted is for 3 phase, so this results in only a small part of the house getting electricity.

So in essence, will a 2.2Kw VFD work, and if so, how are they wired and is there any other way to supply all the phases from a single phase generator without running into issues.

PS> I can fit a plug, but I am not a sparky so this is all greek to me.

Any recommendations or help will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

J

 

[Longboi]

A rotary phase convertor (RPC) can be directly connected to a single-phase generator to produce three-phase power supply.

It requires a simple configuration comprising two input connections, known as idler inputs from a single-phase generator.

 

[dillinger]

Keep the single phase gen. The little single cylinder diesels that have a 3 phase alternator are rubbish! If you don't load the phases all the same the alternator blows!!!!

VSD is very expensive and the output does not have a Neutral.

If you have don't have any 3 phase equipment, put in a 3 phase change over switch. On the generator side you bridge out Red-White-Blue and give that power from the generator phase. Remember to bond all the neutrals and earths together.

 

[jacohelm]

Thanks for the quick responses all. What are the chances of me damaging anything by simply connecting the phases together when powering from the geni?

I don't have any heavy machinery or anything running. It is all normal household items, so chances of reaching 13Kw is very slim. Doubt I will even get to 5Kw with the pool pump running.

 

[Sinbad]

Thanks for the quick responses all. What are the chances of me damaging anything by simply connecting the phases together when powering from the geni?

I don't have any heavy machinery or anything running. It is all normal household items, so chances of reaching 13Kw is very slim. Doubt I will even get to 5Kw with the pool pump running.

Move all the circuits you want powered by the generator to one phase, and non essentials like pool pump, geyser etc to the other phases, then just power the one phase. Do a proper transfer switch for God's sake. Do not use a plug.

 

[jacohelm]

Move all the circuits you want powered by the generator to one phase, and non essentials like pool pump, geyser etc to the other phases, then just power the one phase. Do a proper transfer switch for God's sake. Do not use a plug.

Will do that rather then. Luckily there is a transfer switch fitted already, but wired for a 3 phase geni so will just have to rewire that plug to fit on the normal single phase geni.

 

[P924]

Households are usually wired in 3phase if the calculated power usage will exceed 80A. You don't actually need 3 phases, so in theory you could just have a 3 phase transfer switch and transfer all 3 to the single phase of the inverter.