3 phase electric HELP

Author
Discussion

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Sunday 16th October 2011
quotequote all
There's a piece in the Clarke phase converter manual that says 'if you need a neutral - contact our service dept'. Aside from taking the thing back and re-building it (unlikely?)- what else could they offer?

freecar

4,249 posts

186 months

Sunday 16th October 2011
quotequote all
Why don't you contact them and find out!?

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Sunday 16th October 2011
quotequote all
freecar said:
Why don't you contact them and find out!?
Why does everyone have to be a smart arse?! I have already contacted them - no reply yet.






freecar

4,249 posts

186 months

Sunday 16th October 2011
quotequote all
cqueen said:
freecar said:
Why don't you contact them and find out!?
Why does everyone have to be a smart arse?! I have already contacted them - no reply yet.
I wasn't trying to be a smart arse, I just couldn't imagine that many of us would be able to answer that very specific question for you.

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Monday 17th October 2011
quotequote all
Ok Clarke say this, make sense to anyone?....

Chris

Ideally you should isolate the 230v controls & run them separately. However if you can find a suitable socket to fit to the PC40 you can connect neutral from the incoming supply but you must ensure that the controls are driven from L1 to neutral, L2 & L3 will not have 230v in relation to neutral which is why it is not provided.

It might be better to talk about this, call the number below if you have any queries.

Regards

Dr John

555 posts

215 months

Monday 17th October 2011
quotequote all
Flog it on eBay and buy a single phase one!

freecar

4,249 posts

186 months

Monday 17th October 2011
quotequote all
It says to me that you should disconnect any 240V units inside the unit and wire in a seperate single phase for that. Then you can change plugs as the three phase parts wont require the N connection.

Problem I can see with that could be that depending on how the control systems have been built they might rely on each other for interlocks for correct operation (making sure everything happens when it should) and wiring them seperately might prevent the machine from knowing what it is doing.

What I'd do is isolate the controls (middle of the wiring diagram, grabs one phase) with an independent 240V supply and change the socket around so you can plug the 3 phase in for the motors, it look as though this would work fine, the relays should switch the motors when necessary.


IMPORTANT: I would only do this myself as I don't believe in nanny state, I would be switching the breaker with a stick mind! DO NOT ATTEMPT IF YOU DON'T THOROUGHLY UNDERSTAND!

There, now if you end up as a pair of smoking boots I'd not feel totally responsible!




Simpo Two

85,147 posts

264 months

Monday 17th October 2011
quotequote all
I'm quite impressed. He's been dabbling with three-phase for over a month and is still alive!

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Monday 17th October 2011
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
I'm quite impressed. He's been dabbling with three-phase for over a month and is still alive!
Well, I havnt tried touching anything yet. Slow and steady wins the race.

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Update. Well I've finally managed to find a spark that can re-wire the machine "no problem".

Anyone want an unused 3 phase converter? smile

hidetheelephants

23,753 posts

192 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
Take it back to Machine Mart for a refund?

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Friday 21st October 2011
quotequote all
I bought it new on ebay. Thankfully the seller accepts returns. Today is a good day.

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Monday 24th October 2011
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Lol this'll make ya laugh...

So the sparky turns up. Very quiet old boy - which I found re-assuring. I showed him to the shed and he got his specs out and was getting involved. "I'll leave you to it for a while shall I?".

So I make him a cuppa, I'm standing around waiting in the kitchen, even cleaning stuff just to pass the time. About half an hour later he comes back in and I say:

"Right what's the verdict then doc?"

to which he replies: "........hmmmmmm, well - I think you need an inverter".

punch

I had to laugh, otherwise I'd cry. I explained that I already have an 'inverter' but it doesnt have a neutral pin "oh i see!"........... "hmmmm yes".

So he's taken lots of photos and he's gonna speak to his boss.

Oh what a world.


cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
quotequote all
Ok update time.

I waited and waited for the correct type of converter to come up second hand on ebay. after about 3 weeks I decided enough was enough and shelled out £550 for the kit that I needed. It arrived yesterday, all was going well until I turned it on. Trip switch gone - Apparently I need a C type MCB and not a B type, because the surge is too high.

Why can't things just work?!

So I've got a C type and will try again tonight. Even if it does solve the problem, no doubt there will be several more herdles to sort out before I finally get this thing going! Still not losing my rag yet though smile

Gareth79

7,628 posts

245 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
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The coffee had better be damned good biggrin

Xenocide

4,286 posts

207 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
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I'd just buy some Nescafé mate.

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Friday 16th December 2011
quotequote all
Gareth79 said:
The coffee had better be damned good biggrin
It will be!

The saga continues, the new MCB but I bought doesnt fit! so I took one of the originals to the shop and he said "oh - they dont make that type anymore!".

So, had to buy a new consumer unit and a load of MCBs.

Ffs when will this torture end.

Edited by cqueen on Friday 16th December 22:07

rolando

2,116 posts

154 months

Friday 16th December 2011
quotequote all
cqueen said:
Ffs when will this torture end?
When you blow yourself to kingdom come hire a qualified electrician to do the job.

Smiler.

11,752 posts

229 months

Saturday 17th December 2011
quotequote all
cqueen said:
The saga continues, the new MCB but I bought doesnt fit! so I took one of the originals to the shop and he said "oh - they dont make that type anymore!".

So, had to buy a new consumer unit and a load of MCBs.

Ffs when will this torture end.

Edited by cqueen on Friday 16th December 22:07
Not that it matters now, but what make were the originals?

cqueen

Original Poster:

2,620 posts

219 months

Saturday 17th December 2011
quotequote all
They were Eaton MCB's (the old type).

Well, my old man wired in the new consumer unit (wrongly), blew the most expensive part (the incomer?) by getting the L & N the wrong way round ... (jesus christ redcard)

Shops closed on sat afternoon, sunday prob wont have much joy either. Lord have mercy.