Subject: Re: more specifics on phase converters please

From: PPIERCE <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 01 Aug 1996 08:01:01 -0700

Paul Amaranth wrote:
> 
> In article <[email-masked]> [email-masked] (Lisaclisac) writes:
> >The paper and schematic from the Metal FAQ's on building a phase converter........... How can a motor rated at 41 amps
> >be wired internally with #10 wire? I usually associate this kind of
> >amperage with #6 or #4 wire.

You might faint if you measured the wire in the windings... 
The line wire sizes are determined by the NEC.

Paul in AJ AZ

> Depends on the current running through the caps.  You can probably use
> #12 without any problem.  If this is for the start caps, then it's
> an intermittent use anyway and you can get away with something smaller than
> required for continuous duty.
> 
> >RE: More on capacitors: The paper suggests fairly broad micrtofarad ranges
> >per horsepower. Is more better? Is higher voltages better?
> For start caps, the more you put on, the faster the thing will come up to
> speed and the greater the initial current draw.  It's a trade off.
> Do you want to keep the start switch pushed for a second or two, or do you
> want to dim your neighbor's lights? :-)  (too much will trip the breaker
> on your line - if that happens, take some off).
> 
> Higher voltage than required electrolytics are probably not a great
> idea.  At least for dc applications, using a cap with too high a voltage
> rating can affect is performance since it won't 'form' properly.  I'd
> stick to something under 440 for a 220 supply.  Also, getting higher
> that required V ratings costs money.
> 
> --
> Paul Amaranth  Manager User Services - office: (810) 370 4541 (also voicemail)
>                (e-mail)     [email-masked]
>                URL http://www.acs.oakland.edu/~amaranth