For industrial applications that require 3-phase power, a rotary phase converter can be an economical solution compared to upgrading your electrical service. Rotary phase converters create 3-phase power from a single-phase supply by using a motor and capacitor setup.
This allows you to run 3-phase equipment without the cost of rewiring your electrical system.
When it comes to rotary phase converters, two of the most popular brands are Phase Perfect and American Rotary. But which one is right for your needs?
Here we’ll compare the key features and performance of Phase Perfect vs American Rotary to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Phase Perfect | American Rotary |
| Power Range | Up to 500 HP | Up to 60 HP |
| Capacitors | Auto-balancing variable capacitors | Fixed capacitors |
| Enclosure | Powder coated, weatherproof | Basic enclosure |
| Monitoring | Digital voltage display | No display |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Key Takeaways:
- Phase Perfect works for larger loads up to 500 HP, while American Rotary is limited to 60 HP.
- Phase Perfect provides auto-balancing variable capacitors for better load balancing compared to American Rotary’s fixed capacitors.
- Phase Perfect features more rugged and weatherproof enclosures versus the basic enclosures on American Rotary models.
- Phase Perfect has digital voltage displays for monitoring while American Rotary lacks monitoring capabilities.
- Warranty coverage is 2 years for Phase Perfect vs 1 year for American Rotary.
- American Rotary converters tend to be less expensive than comparable Phase Perfect models.
- For larger equipment above 10HP, Phase Perfect is likely the better choice, while American Rotary can be suitable for smaller loads under 10HP.
- Consider power needs, monitoring requirements, and cost when selecting between these two quality phase converter brands.
How Rotary Phase Converters Work?
Before diving into the details on Phase Perfect and American Rotary, let’s quickly cover the basics of how a rotary phase converter operates.
The key components are:
- Idler motor – This is a single-phase motor that spins continuously when powered on. It provides the rotational force needed to generate the 3 phases.
- Capacitors – These help shift the phases of the power to create 3 distinct yet synchronized sine waves 120 degrees apart.
- Load contacts – These output contacts connect to your 3-phase equipment.
When powered on, the idler motor begins spinning. The capacitors then take the single-phase supply and convert it into 3-phase power synchronized 120 degrees apart. This 3-phase power is output through the load contacts to run your connected equipment.
The idler motor must be sized appropriately to handle the starting and running loads of the equipment being powered. The capacitors help provide the phase shift while also improving power factor and balancing the loads.
Key Differences Between Phase Perfect And American Rotary Phase Converters
Now let’s see how Phase Perfect and American Rotary accomplish this 3-phase power conversion and how they differ.
Phase Perfect Overview
Phase Perfect is manufactured by Phase-A-Matic in Texas and offers a wide range of rotary phase converter sizes from 1.5 HP to 500 HP.
Some key features of Phase Perfect converters include:
- Variable capacitance – The capacitors automatically adjust based on load for better balancing.
- Coupling guard – The coupling between motor and generator is guarded for safety.
- Cooling fan – Helps keep components from overheating.
- Convenient controls – Magnetic contactors allow for easy on/off control.
- Digital voltage display – Allows monitoring of all 3 phases.
- Powder coated enclosure – Durable and weather-resistant.
- UL/CSA approved – Meets safety standards.
- 2 year warranty – Good coverage for defects.
Phase Perfect uses premium capacitors and contactors in its designs. It is one of the few phase converters with auto-balancing variable capacitors.
This allows it to better respond to fluctuating loads for optimal 3-phase power quality.
The digital display is nice for monitoring the output voltages.
And the powder coated enclosures allow for indoor or outdoor installation. Overall Phase Perfect makes a high quality phase converter backed by good warranties and support.
American Rotary Overview
American Rotary, manufactured by Ronk Electrical in Wisconsin, is another leading brand of rotary phase converters. American Rotary offers converters ranging from 1.5 HP to 60 HP.
Here are some of the key attributes of American Rotary phase converters:
- Compact design – Small footprint saves space.
- Fast installation – Ships pre-wired for quick setup.
- Enclosed capacitors – Capacitors are protected inside the unit.
- Overload protection – Helps prevent damage from overloads.
- Moisture resistance – Electronics dipped in varnish for moisture protection.
- CSA approved – Meets safety standards.
- 1 year warranty – Covers defects for 1 year.
American Rotary converters feature a more compact and streamlined design compared to Phase Perfect units. They also emphasize fast installation with pre-wired units.
The capacitors are mounted internally rather than externally. And they use varnished boards and overload protection for reliability. Warranty coverage is shorter at 1 year but still decent.
Overall American Rotary provides a simple and economical phase converter solution, though lacks some of the sophisticated features of Phase Perfect.
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Phase Perfect vs American Rotary – Key Differences
Now that we’ve compared the features of Phase Perfect and American Rotary models, let’s summarize some of the key differences between the two:
- Power range – Phase Perfect goes up to 500 HP, American Rotary only up to 60 HP. So Phase Perfect works for larger equipment.
- Capacitors – Phase Perfect has auto-balancing variable capacitors while American Rotary uses fixed capacitors. The variable ones provide better load balancing.
- Enclosure – Phase Perfect uses a rugged powder coated enclosure compared to American Rotary’s more basic enclosure.
- Monitoring – Phase Perfect has a digital voltage display while American Rotary lacks monitoring capability.
- Warranty – Phase Perfect offers a 2 year warranty versus just 1 year for American Rotary.
- Price – American Rotary converters tend to be a bit cheaper than comparably sized Phase Perfect models.
So in summary, Phase Perfect tends to offer higher end features and performance while American Rotary is more budget-friendly.
Phase Perfect works better for larger equipment and provides more monitoring and power optimization. But American Rotary can be a good value for smaller applications needing basic phase conversion.
Choosing the Right Phase Converter
When selecting the best rotary phase converter for your application, here are some key factors to consider:
- Power requirements – Match the converter size to your load’s starting and running power needs for proper operation. Undersizing can cause problems.
- Single or three phase loads – If you have a mix of single and 3-phase equipment, some converters can run both.
- Output monitoring – Digital voltage displays allow monitoring performance and troubleshooting.
- Load balancing – Auto-balancing capacitors provide optimal power quality across the 3 phases.
- Enclosure – An enclosed weatherproof cabinet allows for outdoor installation.
- Certifications – Look for UL/CSA/CE approvals based on your local requirements.
- Warranty – Longer warranties give you better protection against early failures.
- Technical support – Look for manufacturers that provide good technical documentation and customer support.
Always size your converter appropriately for your specific equipment to ensure reliable operation. And think about what monitoring and power balancing features you may need for your individual application.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For larger applications above 10 HP, Phase Perfect is likely the better choice. Their auto-balancing variac capacitors, rugged enclosures, and advanced monitoring give top performance. For smaller loads under 10HP, the cheaper American Rotary models can also work well at a lower cost.
Yes, rotary phase converters provide a cost-effective way to power 3-phase equipment from an existing single phase supply. The power quality is not quite as good as true 3-phase service from the utility, but for most applications a quality converter like Phase Perfect or American Rotary will provide sufficient performance.
Phase Perfect uses an idler motor and automatic balancing capacitors. The idler motor spins to provide rotational force while the capacitors shift the phases 120 degrees apart to generate 3-phase power from the single phase supply. The variable capacitors automatically adjust to balance loads across phases.
The two main types are rotary drum converters and rotary generator converters. Drum types use a motor connected to a rotating drum reactor to shift phases. Generator types use a motor directly coupled to a rotating generator. Generator types, like Phase Perfect and American Rotary, tend to be lower cost, more efficient and better for motor loads.
Final Thoughts
When comparing Phase Perfect vs American Rotary phase converters, Phase Perfect tends to offer more advanced performance and monitoring capabilities while American Rotary provides a more affordable option for smaller applications.
Consider your specific power needs and loads when selecting a rotary phase converter, and size the units appropriately. Either of these quality brands can provide an economical way to power 3-phase equipment from single-phase power.
Reach out to the manufacturer or a qualified electrician if you need help selecting and installing the right converter for your situation.
