snip..
I have a lot of 3 phase machines now including a 10HP wide belt and a 10HP dust collector that I am not yet using. The price on a VFD capable of running my 10HP wide belt was $850 + $80 shipping from Canada. That was a bit steep considering how many other 3 phase machines that I have. I plan to purchase another larger RPC down the road. All together I have 10 machines and counting that are 3 phase. I just picked up 2 more 10HP dust collectors at a price that I couldn't refuse.
- SweetTea
Hmm,
1) Sounds like you have a commercial shop? Good for you.
With all those tools, must a have several employees? What do you produce?
BTW - Curious:
Why are fishing in hobby wood working forums for low cost electrical advice as commercial mfg?
What does your insurance company think about your power supply wiring, are we giving the right advice?
Are you using a licensed bonded/insured electrician to ensure everything is built to code, passes installation permit inspections; to ensure building passes your annual commercial insurance inspection?
NVM, those are rhetorical questions. What you do is your business.
2) You can't be cheap with industrial power, unless you want to kill people.
Industrial tools require costly industrial power support, and there is no way to avoid this. Back when I used to buy/install millions of dollars in production equipment all around the world every year, we would estimate and plan for a minimum of $500 parts & $1000 in labor for every machine install. This covered only breakers, conduit, wiring, disconnect switches; I.E parts/labor for physical hookup at machine only. If we needed to run wires around plant, or add power conversion that was extra. Power conversion was budgeted at ~ $300 per motor HP for RPC install. These Industrial power installation costs have been nearly same for many decades; thanks to general cost reduction of electronics and increasing cost of copper. You can not hide from cost of industrial power when you buy & install tools.
3) Power is dangerous, if you don't understand it completely, don't touch it; and always let the licensed & trained professional keep you safe. You can get hurt very bad:
I helped installed my 1st 440v panel when I was still a kid, back in 60''s. In 70's, watched a older co-worker attempt to work on live 440v 3PH panel (as is commonly done when you can not shut down a building), when he slipped and dropped a screw driver across the main feed. Building had it's own 25Kv step down transformer, and there was no lack of feed power available. Result was instant lightning bolt, screw driver melted completely, and his outline was permanently etched in wall 25 feet behind him with liquid metal from the plasma discharge. He lost sight for a month, and had burns all over his head/chest. He recovered eye sight in one eye, and is only scarred on 1 side of his face years later. I was around the corner getting tools when it happened, or I would have been shocked, burned as I was usually standing next to him as his apprentice. Was gruesome education into danger of high voltage.
Why post this?
Your electrical questions and posts scare me. Every time you post, they seem intelligent, even use right words asking questions. But when kind folks on LJ offer advice to help you; your responses show you to be uneducated, possibly dangerous with electricity, and only looking for cheap way out.
Hence, Think it best to stop offering you electrical help, after one last suggestion.
Please find and use licensed/binded electrical company for your 3 phase high voltage building power.
If you have numerous machines in a working shop, you are subject to state/local laws. You need a master wiring plan with approved building permits, and professional staff; keeping you, your employees, and your property safe.
Best Luck with all industrial tools.