Technical Support
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Technical support
Show us the problem.
Tell us what the converter is doing and attach a clear photo of the relevant component, wiring, breaker, or nameplate.
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Work through the symptom
Start with the matching symptom below. Record your measurements so Phoenix Support can review the same information.
Electrical safety first
Disconnect and lock out power before inspecting components. Phase converters operate at 240 volts or higher. If you are not qualified to work on energized equipment, stop and contact a licensed electrician or Phoenix Support.
Converter will not start
- Check the supplying breaker and fuses, then reset only after correcting any visible fault.
- Measure the single-phase input voltage. Reliable 240-volt startup generally requires at least 225 volts.
- With power disconnected and capacitors safely discharged, inspect start capacitors for swelling or leakage.
- Have a qualified person check the start relay or contactor for proper operation.
- With power off, spin the idler shaft by hand. Roughness, resistance, or grinding can indicate bearing trouble.
Breaker trips
- Note whether the trip happens when the converter starts, when a machine starts, or after running under load.
- Verify the breaker is sized for the converter using the official installation manual—not only the motor horsepower.
- Confirm conductor size, run length, and all terminal connections with a qualified electrician.
- Start the converter first, then add connected machines one at a time to identify the load causing the trip.
Overheating or thermal shutdown
- Keep at least 12 inches of clear space around ventilation openings.
- Remove dust with dry compressed air at 30 PSI or less while power is disconnected.
- For sustained operation, keep measured current at or below 80 percent of the applicable rated current.
- Check for bearing noise and excessive voltage imbalance under the actual operating load.
Unusual noise or vibration
- Identify whether the sound comes from the idler bearings, enclosure, contactor, or mounting surface.
- Tighten external mounting hardware and confirm the converter sits on a stable surface.
- With power disconnected, turn the idler by hand and listen or feel for rough bearings.
- Internal components should be inspected or secured only by someone qualified to service electrical equipment.
Low voltage or voltage imbalance
- Use a true-RMS meter to record all three line-to-line voltages while the machine is operating.
- Check the single-phase supply. A nominal 240-volt system should normally measure about 230–250 volts; below 225 volts can cause trouble.
- With power disconnected, have a qualified person torque and inspect all electrical connections.
- Confirm the converter is correctly sized and have capacitors tested against their marked microfarad rating.
Capacitor inspection
- Disconnect power and safely discharge capacitors before touching or testing them.
- Replace only with the correct capacitor type, voltage rating, and microfarad value.
- Stop using the converter and contact support if a capacitor is swollen, leaking, burned, or damaged.
Describe the issue
Include what changed, what you hear, and whether a breaker or overload trips.
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