For Electricians

[rakesdl]

Hi Guy's, My electrical expertise is very limited, so here is the question; I have the chance to get a electric heater for my garage, but it is a 208 volt three phase unit, the owner tells me that it can be changed to run single phase, but I want to make sure before I take it. (it's Free) can anyone tell me if this can be done safely and will it work properly.

 

[wakeboarder311]

if can be run 240 single phase it will say on the name tag

 

[JohnK007]

Not an electrician but I think I'd say "Thanks, but no thanks" on this one. Without a phase converter you're not going to get the fan motor to work. If you buy or build a phase converter, using it on the resistant heating elements will probably either not work or severely shorten it's life. If someone more knowledgeable than I knows how to wire the 3 ph elements to work on single phase then you still have to deal with the motor. Bottom line, I don't think it's worth the hassle. Not when I notice places like Northern Tool and Farm 'n Fleet running pre-winter sales on heaters. I'll be interested to hear what our electrician pros think.

 

[rakesdl]

Thanks guys, I didn't think that i should attempt this, but wanted the pros opinion.

 

[Aceman]

Without a phase converter you're not going to get the fan motor to work. If you buy or build a phase converter, using it on the resistant heating elements will probably either not work or severely shorten it's life. If someone more knowledgeable than I knows how to wire the 3 ph elements to work on single phase then you still have to deal with the motor.

He didn't say it had a fan motor.

I wired up two 480v 3 phase infrared radiant type heaters last week that didn't have one. I know deep fryers are often single or 3 phase. You just move the wires around on the terminals for the type of power you have. Me, I'd look at it, see if the owner has a book on it or manufacturers phone number you can get off it and call 'em. Might only be a 10 minute fix.

 

[MXtras]

Most three phase devices will NOT operate on single phase power. I am not saying this is definately one of those situations, but I doubt it will work. BUT - as mentioned - look at the tag.

Scott

 

[dwilliams35]

A whole lot of 3 phase heat and cooling actually have single-phase fans. Besides that, just look at the label. Worst case scenario, build a rotary phase converter: you needed 3-phase in your garage anyway.