Difference Between Static & Rotary Phase Converters

Electrical companies generally provide single-phase power.

Phase converters transform single-phase electricity into three-phase electricity, which is often needed to operate industrial machinery. Static and rotary phase converters differ in cost, practicality and how they provide power.

Providing Power

Static phase converters provide three-phase power for only a few seconds, generally allowing only for equipment to start. Rotary phase converters generate a consistent stream of three-phase power from a single-phase source. Smaller motors can occasionally be run on static phase converters, but it is not recommended.

Quality of Power

Static phase converters contain far fewer capacitors than rotary types, which offer a bank of capacitors working together. Therefore, rotary phase converters balance voltages much more effectively than static phase converters.

Cost and Practicality

Static phase converters cost less than rotary phase converters, but are often too restricted for the job at hand. The limitations of static phase converters can shorten the lifespan of machinery due to the strain of unbalanced power and the lack of constant power flow. These issues can lead to equipment overheating on larger motors.

References

• Phase Technologies, LLC: Phase Conversion Technology Overview; Dr. Larry Meiners, PhD.
• Phase Converter FAQ: What Are The Different Types of Phase Converter?
• 3 Phase Power: Rotary Phase Converters

Resources

• Rotary Phase Converters: Why Use a Rotary Phase Converter