3 phase power / 1 phase compressor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JointTech · 07-09-2013, 08:37 PM

im getting a single phase, 2 cylinder, 240V 18amp compressor.
my power is 3 phase. When I hooked up a new breaker and outlet my test meter only shows 208V.
will the compressor still work?

PanelDeland · 07-09-2013, 10:00 PM

When you have lower voltage,you will have a higher amp draw and depending on the unit,you will build more heat.Heat will kill an electric motor.How long you get out of it will depend on what grade of motor and some other factors.It may work well from now on or it may never work right.A lot depends on both the electrical system and the compressor.There's no real easy answer to your question.I have a hard time believing you have 3 phase in a residential area though some places do have it.You would probably be money ahead on the electric bill to get a three phase compressor.You might contact an electrician and see what he thinks.My experience is all from industrial work.

BTW You should check the Nomenclature plate on the motor.It may have a wiring diagram to convert from 208 to 240.

JointTech · 07-09-2013, 10:10 PM

my shop is at my office which seems to have industrial power.
I was thinking about just getting a3phase compressor but they cost a bunch more and then when I build my house in a few years Ill have to bring in 3phase power there to use it.
The electrician said 9 times out of 10 it will just work.
ive been scouring the internet and there are 1000 posts about converting or running a 3 phase compressor on single phase power but nothing for my situation. Which means its so obvious it will work nobody ever asks. Or its so idiotic and will burn down the building so nobody asks.

JointTech · 07-10-2013, 12:17 PM

some research shows it will probably run but run hot. Or it could kill the motor within a month.
A Buck-Boost transformer is what I need. So add another couple hundred to whatever compressor I want. bleh.

Ryan Hubbard · 07-12-2013, 11:05 AM

You will be just fine running your compressor on the 208V three phase power. My shop has 208V three phase power and all my equipment is 230V three phase. Even my CNC machines, I did not need to make any changes on the transformer wiring from 230V to 208V.

JointTech · 07-13-2013, 04:27 AM

well it worked out that the compressor I got is 3phase so nothing to worry about until I move somewhere without 3phase input.

used Champion for under a grand. looks brand new. at that point I lost my huge desire for single phase

07-09-2013, 08:37 PM	#1
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	3 phase power / 1 phase compressor im getting a single phase, 2 cylinder, 240V 18amp compressor. my power is 3 phase. When I hooked up a new breaker and outlet my test meter only shows 208V. will the compressor still work? __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread

07-09-2013, 10:00 PM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: 3 phase power / 1 phase compressor When you have lower voltage,you will have a higher amp draw and depending on the unit,you will build more heat.Heat will kill an electric motor.How long you get out of it will depend on what grade of motor and some other factors.It may work well from now on or it may never work right.A lot depends on both the electrical system and the compressor.There's no real easy answer to your question.I have a hard time believing you have 3 phase in a residential area though some places do have it.You would probably be money ahead on the electric bill to get a three phase compressor.You might contact an electrician and see what he thinks.My experience is all from industrial work. BTW You should check the Nomenclature plate on the motor.It may have a wiring diagram to convert from 208 to 240. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-09-2013, 10:10 PM	#3
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	Re: 3 phase power / 1 phase compressor my shop is at my office which seems to have industrial power. I was thinking about just getting a3phase compressor but they cost a bunch more and then when I build my house in a few years Ill have to bring in 3phase power there to use it. The electrician said 9 times out of 10 it will just work. ive been scouring the internet and there are 1000 posts about converting or running a 3 phase compressor on single phase power but nothing for my situation. Which means its so obvious it will work nobody ever asks. Or its so idiotic and will burn down the building so nobody asks. __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread

07-10-2013, 12:17 PM	#4
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	Re: 3 phase power / 1 phase compressor some research shows it will probably run but run hot. Or it could kill the motor within a month. A Buck-Boost transformer is what I need. So add another couple hundred to whatever compressor I want. bleh. __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread

07-12-2013, 11:05 AM	#5
Ryan Hubbard Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 288	Re: 3 phase power / 1 phase compressor You will be just fine running your compressor on the 208V three phase power. My shop has 208V three phase power and all my equipment is 230V three phase. Even my CNC machines, I did not need to make any changes on the transformer wiring from 230V to 208V.

07-13-2013, 04:27 AM	#6
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	Re: 3 phase power / 1 phase compressor well it worked out that the compressor I got is 3phase so nothing to worry about until I move somewhere without 3phase input. used Champion for under a grand. looks brand new. at that point I lost my huge desire for single phase __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread



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