Shop Talk

A phase converter runs a 3 phase machine on single phase power. See the three types, how a VFD compares, how a rotary converter makes power for the third wire, and what size you need.

In the US, 3 phase power comes in three common voltages: 208V, 240V and 480V. See why motor nameplates read 200V, 230V or 460V, whether a 230V motor runs on 208V, and what voltage a phase converter or VFD puts out.

In almost every US home, 240V is single phase, even with two hot wires. Here's when 240V is 3 phase, what "2 phase power" means, and what runs a 3 phase machine on household 240V.