Phoenix Phase Converter Installation Manual and Support

RULE OF THUMB: Make sure your power feeding your circuit breaker panel is enough. The KVA number should be at least the same or larger number of the HP of converter you have.

For an example 50 KVA 230 Volts, is enough power to start a 40 HP Phase Converter. 50 KVA 230 Volt is NOT large enough to start a 75 HP Rotary Phase Converter. But will be enough to start two 40 HP Rotary Phase Converters one at a time, and then pair together to Have a 80 HP Converter.

Make sure the Phase Converter you are installing is large enough for your equipment, and you have the right voltage phase converter, our team at Phoenix Phase Converters can help you with this. at 800-417-6568

Make sure you have a big enough breaker for your main to handle the starting of the phase converter.

Increase Copper Wire Size For Every 50 Feet And Round Up - For Breakers Use 2 Times the Full Load of the Equipment

You must use an Industrial Licensed Electrician

Magnetic controls, single phase loads, or resistive loads must be energized by L1 and L2

Follow your state codes, most state require a disconnect between the circuit breaker panel and the converter if over 50 feet.

You will need to use a motor load type breaker. NOT a quick blow or trip breaker.

Sizing a breaker for a single machine with an inductive load (motors) double the amps size of the machine. Example if the equipment pulls 20 amps use a 40 amp breaker.

Sizing the equipment for multiple machine double the amp of the largest machine and add the the other machine that will run at the same time. Example; 20 AMP Lathe. 9 amp saw, 6 amp milling machine. 20 X 2 = 40 +9 + 6 = 45 amps, use the next stardard size breaker which would be 50 Amps two pole breaker.

Use the chart to make sure you don't go over or under the Minimum and maximum size allowed. For rural areas increase the minimum size breaker by 20% Click on the next picture to see this chart.

It is recommended to install the phase converter closer to the circuit breaker panel keeping the single phase wire the shorter wire, and extend your three phase line. Install the enclosure on the wall then mount the back plate.

After mounting the back plate make sure all the factory connections are tight they can become loose during shipping or from handling the phase converter.

9 lead Idler motor connection NL Model (without Start and Stop Button) Click here to watch a video of the install.

12 lead Idler motor connection NL Model (without Start and Stop) Click here to watch a video of the install.

9 Wire Idler Motor 230V - * Lead 1 and 7 together and lands on L1 * Lead 2 and 8 together and lands on L2 * Lead 3 and 9 together and Lands on L3 * Lead 4,5,6 together.

12 Wire Idler Motor 230V - * Lead 1,12,6,7 together and lands on L1 * Lead 2,10,4,8 together and lands on L2 * Lead 3,11,5,9 together and lands on L3

9 lead Idler otor connection PL Model (with Start and Stop) Click here to watch a video of the install.

12 lead Idler motor connection PL Model (with Start and Stop) Click here to watch a video of the install.

9 Wire Idler Motor 230V - * Lead 1 and 7 together and lands on L1 * Lead 2 and 8 together and lands on L2 * Lead 3 and 9 together and Lands on L3 * Lead 4,5,6 togther.

12 Wire Idler Motor 230V - * Lead 1,12,6,7 together and lands on L1 * Lead 2,10,4,8 together and lands on L2 * Lead 3,11,5,9 together and lands on L3

if your phase converter DOES NOT have a START AND STOP button on it go to step 8, skip this step.

From your circuit breaker panel bring a single phase and a ground line to L1 and L2, the ground is anywhere on the frame of the box.

DO NOT USE smaller wire size then what is recommended on our sizing chart in our manual CLICK HERE to view the manual and go to page 5.

If your Phase Converter has a Start and Stop button on the front of the panel look at the PL Model Step 7

If your idler motor / generator has 12 wires SKIP THIS STEP go to Step 10

You idler motor will connec to the same block as your L1 and L2 for you power. Connect the idler motor to L1, L2, L3.

Use Copper Wire. Wire nuts is NOT a good connection, use screw down lugs. 3 HP use 10 AWG, 5 HP and 7.5 Use 8 AWG, 10 HP use 6 AWG, 15 HP and 20 HP use 4 AWG, 25 and 30 HP use 2 AWG, 40 HP use 3 AWG, 50 HP use 2 AWG, 60 HP use 1 AWG, 75 HP use 1/0, 100 HP use 2/0

You idler motor will connec to the same block as your L1 and L2 for you power. Connect the idler motor to L1, L2, L3.

Use Copper Wire. Wire nuts is NOT a good connection, use screw down lugs. 3 HP use 10 AWG, 5 HP and 7.5 Use 8 AWG, 10 HP use 6 AWG, 15 HP and 20 HP use 4 AWG, 25 and 30 HP use 2 AWG, 40 HP use 3 AWG, 50 HP use 2 AWG, 60 HP use 1 AWG, 75 HP use 1/0, 100 HP use 2/0

PL MODEL FIRST PICTURE - While trying to start the phase converter, check the voltage drop, if yu have the PL model place your voltmeter On your Single phase line input, turn it, check the voltage and turn it off. If your voltage drop 215 and below it may not start.

BEFORE YOU START THE CONVERTER, only have the idler motor connected and you single phase line. NEVER start the phase conveter with a load, including transformers.

NL MODEL 2ND PICTURE - While trying to start the phase converter, check your voltage on L1 and L2, turn it on, check the voltage adn turn it off, if your voltage is dropping 215 and below it may not start.

If the phase converter is growling or not coming up to speed SHUT IF OFF, and proceed to step 12.

Checking voltage at the circuit breaker. You want to make sure the voltage at the circuit breaker feeding the phase converter is 215 Volts or above. If you breaker is tripping instantly i may be too small or not the proper breaker, Make sure it is a Motor Load Type breaker.

If your voltage is dropping at the phase converter panel on your single phase line and also is dropping at the MAIN breaker panel then your power into the building is weak, Check the size of the transformer feeding your building as stated in Step 1.

If your voltage is NOT dropping at the circuit breaker panel, but is dropping at the phase converter panel, then your wire is too small, too long, or you may have also a loose connection.

Checking for blown start capacitors Remove the screw and take the cover off, the black in color cylinders are the start capacitors in larger. You will see a hole at the top with a film covering the hole, if you see any that are punctured, they need to be replaced, but first you should figure out the cause of the capacitor failure.

Found a failed capacitor. There are several of reason a capacitor can fail, can be mainly voltage dropping, if your phase converter is dropping voltage at start it will put an extra load on the capacitor eventually causing it to fail.

Additional causes of failure. Too many frequent starts, start contactor fused together, Loose or bad connection, Idler motor connected wrong, Phase Converter too small or load is too large for the converter. weak or dropping voltage in your service.

Make sure you check the correct contactor, if you follow the wires from the contactor and the lead into the capacitor bank connected to the black capacitors you found the right one, take the two phillip screw out and on take the dust cover off and check the contactor moves freely like the video.

Check the START CONTACTOR. If you start contactor fuses together or look worn, you should replace it, if they are stuck together, this will keep the start capacitors in the circuit and blow the capacitors every time, this is the same reasons for failure from the previous step 11. The larger converter will have a three pole contactor.