Running 600 V machines at home

[canucktruck]

Have a chance to get a 600 volt mill and lathe that are 600 volt machines.
I think that this has been discussed before but what is involved in being able to do this. Also what's the cost?

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'll bet that 600v is 3 phase.

Best solution is swap out the motor.

EDIT: Yep, 3 phase delta. Forget it ! Go to my previous "best solution".

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Have a chance to get a 600 volt mill and lathe that are 600 volt machines.
I think that this has been discussed before but what is involved in being able to do this. Also what's the cost?

Do u have 3 phase at your shop/home? Are the machines 3 phase or single phase? Either way, you would at least need a step up transformer and IF the machines are 3-phase and u only have single phase, then u would also need a VFD or rotary phase converter to make the 3rd leg! Not gonna be cheap!

I'll bet that 600v is 3 phase.

Best solution is swap out the motor.

EDIT: Yep, 3 phase delta. Forget it ! Go to my previous "best solution".

The OP is in Canada and may be able to get the necessary equipment to make it work since Canada uses 600Y/347v which is similar to our 480y/277 down here in the states!

Who knows, he may even be able to get the service at his shop but the OP didnt give us many details to go on!

 

[930dreamer]

I'd start looking here;

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/transformers-phase-converters-vfd/

 

[sberry]

You have a chance not to get them too. Its not that it cant be done its just in a small shop and any buy sell trade deal it adds an extra layer of equipment. For some its not a problem or its a hobby or it may be worth it for multiple machines, personally I like plug and play as much as possible.

 

[canucktruck]

Left out info, the machines are 3 phase and I dont have 3 phase available at home.

Also a bit out of touch but what is OP?

 

[Stuart in MN]

OP = original poster. In this case, it means you.

Without having three phase power at home, you'd need a way to create three phase power (either a phase converter or a variable frequency drive (VFD)), plus a transformer to step up the voltage from 240vac to 600vac. It also depends on the motor horsepower - if they're 1 or 2hp that's one thing but if they're 10hp that's another. In any case it gets pretty expensive unless you can source good used equipment and/or you're pretty handy with electrical gear.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Left out info, the machines are 3 phase and I dont have 3 phase available at home.

Also a bit out of touch but what is OP?

Since u dont have 3-phase available, it will be very expensive to power the machines. Without knowing the load rating of the machines, i did a google search for a 240v to 600v transformer and found a 15kva transformer for just over $2k. Keep in mind, at 600v, a 15kva transformer will give u about 13a before it reaches saturation! A larger transformer would be obviously more expensive. And then u would also need a VFD or phase converter, fed by the transfrmer, to create the 3rd leg. Youre probably looking at $3k-$4k just for a VFD and transformer. So unless you are made of money, it will be cheaper to switch the motors on the machines!

 

[Norcal]

Since u dont have 3-phase available, it will be very expensive to power the machines. Without knowing the load rating of the machines, i did a google search for a 240v to 600v transformer and found a 15kva transformer for just over $2k. Keep in mind, at 600v, a 15kva transformer will give u about 13a before it reaches saturation! A larger transformer would be obviously more expensive. And then u would also need a VFD or phase converter, fed by the transfrmer, to create the 3rd leg. Youre probably looking at $3k-$4k just for a VFD and transformer. So unless you are made of money, it will be cheaper to switch the motors on the machines!

There are a number of websites who deal w/ phase conversion & while some people are a bit too clever for their own good, others do know what they are doing,& while running the wiring for 480 & 600V machines is out of most peoples league & I discourage it, it has been done & most get transformers & such on the used / surplus markets.

The motor(s) may be special & hard to swap out, but that would be a preferred choice if it can be done,single phase being the 1st choice but if a 230/460V 3Ø motor could be found & was 3 HP or smaller, it would economical to use a VFD for phase conversion, above 3 HP it can get expensive.....

 

[tfi racing]

Good advice so far,this will get expensive.Check the motors to see if they have an option to reterminate them at 208 or 220v,you will still need a phase coverter or VFD,but may not need to buy transformer(s).

 

[Norcal]

Good advice so far,this will get expensive.Check the motors to see if they have an option to reterminate them at 208 or 220v,you will still need a phase coverter or VFD,but may not need to buy transformer(s).

I suspect that a 600V (575 rated volts) motor will be single voltage.

 

[jcm44]

while running the wiring for 480 & 600V machines is out of most peoples league & I discourage it

Just keep that in mind. 120v and 240v are one thing. 600v is serious stuff.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I suspect that a 600V (575 rated volts) motor will be single voltage.

Yeah, Ive NEVER seen a multi-voltage 575v motor.

Just keep that in mind. 120v and 240v are one thing. 600v is serious stuff.

Yes true. And if the OP does end up going with a 600v system he needs to make sure the wire he uses is 600v rated.