Selecting the right type of rotary phase converter for your distinct needs can be challenging. But Phoenix Phase Converters makes it easy to help you make that choice.

Recently, one of our customers contacted us to ask about running a press brake and a lathe using a single-phase power connection. This incident offers highly valuable insights for anyone wanting to learn about phase converters. So, let's begin understanding this issue.

Summary

To size a rotary phase converter, know your equipment’s horsepower (HP) and typically double the largest motor’s HP to cover startup inrush—e.g., a 5 HP press brake needs a 10 HP converter. 

For multiple machines, add their starting loads (5+ 3 = 8 HP) and size to about double; a 15 HP unit handles simultaneous starts, while a 10 HP can work if starting them separately. 

Phoenix Phase Converters offer modular scalability (parallel units), industrial-grade quiet designs, and auto-start/load-detection for efficiency and reliability. The company emphasizes long-term value, affordability, and expert guidance for setup and sizing.

Understanding The Power Needs of The Equipment

While purchasing a phase converter, it is important to understand the power requirement of the equipment you are going to use. You should know the horsepower (HP) rating of the equipment before planning to purchase a converter.

In our customer's case, we need to run a press brake that has a 5 HP motor and a 3 HP lathe. The general rule of thumb is:

  • The standard practice for machines like a press brake is to double the horsepower of the motor to find the correct size of the phase converter.

  • A 5 HP press brake motor will require a 10 HP rotary phase converter.

  • Another reason for this increase is that this doubling phenomenon contributes to the inrush current when a motor starts up, thus affecting its functionality.

Multimachine Operation 

An interesting piece of trivia that many consumers find surprising is that multiple machines can be operated at one time with a phase converter that is appropriately sized. Our team has discussed this during the call with the customer that starting both the lathe and press brake at the same time would require calculating the total starting load of:

  • 5 HP (brake) + 3 HP (lathe) = 8 HP starting load.

  • When we follow the "double the load" rule, a 15 HP phase converter would be sufficient to comfortably handle starting both of them simultaneously.

However, if we are starting the machines individually, a 10 HP phase converter can be enough.

Scalability for Future Growth

At Phoenix Phase Converters, modularity is always on our minds while designing our systems. In case your power demands increase, you do not have to worry about replacing the entire converter. To increase the system's capacity, all that is needed is to add a unit.

For example:

A 20 HP system may be made up of two 10 HP phase converters.

It offers versatility and safeguards the investment as well as facilitates the expansion process.

Industrial Grade Quality You Can Trust

Our phase converters are designed in such a way that they offer industrial-grade performance. The main features of these converters are given below:

  • The phase converters have heavy-duty casing and sealed housing. The casing protects the phase converters from dust and foreign matter that could dirty the inside of the converters. 

  • Our converters operate silently; this is measured at 40 decibels at 10 feet. A lot of our customers are amazed at the quietness of our phase converters compared to the loud "jet engine" noise of the inferior or older models.

Our brand is recognized for powering critical applications such as elevators and CNC machinery to ensure reliability and adequate noise suppression.

Next Generation Features:  Auto Start and Load Detection

We at Phoenix Phase Converters provide auto-start phase converters for scenarios such as air compressors or turnkey machine applications. Our phase converters come equipped with our patented load detection feature.

This technology automatically turns the converter on and off depending on the demand of the equipment it is serving. This optimizes the energy efficiency and durability of the system, thus an investment worth considering.

Quality That Pays for Itself 

We all understand that it is an important task to choose the correct phase converter. It is for this reason that our brand is dedicated to offering you the best quality at very cheap rates. Our product ranges are engineered to serve long-term solutions to support the success of your business.

When you choose Phoenix Phase Converters, you are not only purchasing a piece of machinery, but you are also ensuring the ability to work without any interruptions. It also helps safeguard your livelihood.

Ready to Get Started?

Selecting the right phase converter size does not have to be a complicated process. Whether you are trying to run a single machine or build a scalable workshop, Phoenix Phase Converters has the perfect solution for every such need.

Contact us today so we can put you in contact with our experts who can walk you through the process of sizing, setup, and choosing the right phase converter for your specific equipment needs.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Question: How does one determine the size of a rotary phase converter for a single machine?

Answer: To determine the size of a rotary phase converter that fits a machine, one must first consider the horsepower (HP) of a machine. The HP rating of a machine needs to be doubled when considering a rotary phase converter. For a 5 HP press brake machine, a 10 HP rotary phase converter is required. 

Question: Can one converter run multiple machines at the same time? How do I size it?

Answer: Yes. Add the machines’ starting loads, then size to about double that total if you plan to start them simultaneously. For instance, a 5 HP press brake and a 3 HP lathe have an 8 HP combined starting load; a 15 HP converter comfortably handles starting both together. If you start them one at a time, a 10 HP converter can be enough.

Question: What happens if my power needs grow in the future? 

Answer: Phoenix Phase Converters are modular and scalable. You can add capacity with an additional unit in parallel and not replace your existing converter. You could, for example, combine two 10 HP converters to produce a 20 HP system.

Question: In Phoenix Phase Converters, how quiet and reliable are these units in terms of construction? 

Answer: These units are designed with industrial standards in mind, with heavy-duty construction and enclosures to protect them from dust. Furthermore, their noise is measured at 40 decibels at 10 feet away, far quieter than most models in the market that are of a similar design. Phoenix converters are known to have high reliability and are thus used in applications such as elevators and CNC machines.

Question: What is Auto-start with load detection? When is it best suited? 

Answer: Auto-start allows the converter to automatically turn on and turn off based on the usage requirements of the equipment through patented load detection technology. It is best suited for an air compressor and/or an unattended machine. It helps improve energy efficiency and increases the lifespan of the system.