three phase transformer wiring

[FattyJr]

Hello out there.

This is a werid one I have never heard off before.

Just purchased a pair of 5 ton column lifts so I can work on my pick up. Anyway, i purchased the lifts and was told they was three phase ie 415v.

lifts were delivered and they had a 16a 5 pin red plug, no problem i thought. Plugged it in and got a BANG. Breaker tripped in the breaker box and on lift. Hummm

disconnected everything and opened the control box and found a sticker stating 110v three phase. Yea, 110v three phase. I have L1, L2 and L3 in the box with no netural.

Never heard of it so tried a google search and still got nothing on how or why.

So to attack the problem. I gotta buy/build a three phase transformer to go from 240v three phase to 110v three phase. I have read numerous site on wiring up three separate 240v to 110v in a delta style set up & also wiring an "open delta" setup that uses two single phase transformers.

Any ideas on how to do this? I have actually considered ripping out the wiring and redoing in proper three phase, but means a total rewire which I don't fancy at the moment.

Let me know, cheers john

 

[oxocube]

Are you sure its not got a 110volt control system? I've never seen or heard of 110v 3ph.

 

[malcolmsanford]

You won't have in the UK 3 phase 230/240v you will have 3 phase 400/415v and single phase 230/240volt.

Chances are these column lifts are either american or Asian and will be for a 220/208v 3 pahse 127/110v single phase system.

 

[Knobhead]

What is the voltage and current on the motor rating plate?
Is there a transformer in the control panel?
110V 3Ph is quite common. You will be better off with a 415/110V 3Ph transformer rather than trying to cobble together 3 separate units, you can run in to all kinds of problems with phase sequencing.

 

[FattyJr]

to answer the questions.

Yes the control panel is 110v 3 ph Everything in the panel states 110v 3 ph.

the motors on either column are marked 110v 3ph

The lifts are swiss as far as I can gather and have been used in the UK for a number of years as they were regularly serviced by a company called gemco.

As for my 3 phase supply, I know we call the 3 phase system 415v, but per phase it's 240v. Don't want to get into that argument about phasing.

What I can do is take a few pics and post them here for all to view

 

[oxocube]

regularly serviced by a company called gemco.

I would give gemco a ring.

 

[oxocube]

110V 3Ph is quite common.

Yeah, about as common as rocking horse s***.

 

[Knobhead]

Yeah, about as common as rocking horse s***.

I take it you’ve never worked in heavy engineering or construction then? It’s very common!

 

[FattyJr]

Considering wiring like this

Taken from Three-phase transformer circuits : POLYPHASE AC CIRCUITS

for delta to delta wiring

for Wye to Delta wiring which I am leaning towards

 

[Knobhead]

If you really want to go down the road of three separate transformers you’ll need 415V / 66V transformers connected as shown.

View attachment 7753

 

[Knobhead]

Using a delta connection for the 110V gives no protection for earth faults. Not recommended!

A ready made unit will be cheaper

 

[alex trician]

I reckon do as Tony says and get a 415/110v3 phase transformer. I have installed them in factories.

 

[Des 56]

Buy a genny with a 3 ph 110 volt output,simples

 

[FattyJr]

Just thought I would post this pic of one of the motors. I have been thinking about what tony has said and looking into some. I have spoken to some firms about a custom transformer and to be honest, they haven't got a clue what size transformer to make/supply. I am working on the plug on the unit was a 16a 3 phase plug so that would make it 4A a phase. I did a bit of a calculation and got 2.78 KVA total so if i get 3 x 1kva 415v to 66v. Another thing that springs to mind is would I need 415v OR 240V transformers since you only get 415v when you combine two phases, but 240v when you use one phase.

I maybe missing something or just had a brain fart.

Your thoughts please.

 

[mogga]

GIVE Gemco a ring before you do yourself some damage