Power and Phase Converters Education and Training

Learning how to design and/or select power and phase converters for a given application
By Phillip Galey When you need to feed a three-phase load from single phase power, you need to use a three-phase power converter, which can be static, rotary or solid state depending on various cost versus performance considerations. To go in the opposite direction, single-phase power is typically tapped off of one or two phases of a three-phase source. To get DC from AC, e.g. to power electronics, AC to DC converter chips are the ticket.

To obtain training in designing or using these devices, you can either attend engineering school (online or on campus) or research schematics and related information that will allow you to implement a power converter device with cost and performance factors commensurate with your requirements. If you're looking to bolster your power and phase converters education and training, consider the following:

1. Learn all about three-phase-to-single-phase converters.

2. Know how to select and use AC to DC converter chips.

3. Educate yourself on the trade offs when selecting electrical power converters.

Understand how three-phase-to-single-phase converters are used

Normally, three-phase power converters convert single phase to three phase. However, if you need to power a single phase load from a three-phase source you can either connect the load across two of the three phase conductors or you can connect the load between the one phase conductor and system neutral. For example, from a 120V three-phase source, 240V single-phase loads can be fed 208V from across two-phase conductors, while 120V single phase loads can be fed 120V from across one phase conductor and neutral. You can learn about designing three-phase to single-phase converters by taking electrical engineering courses or by visiting a website that explains the connections and calculations.
Try:  MUST University offers accredited online degree programs in electrical engineering and is self-paced and very affordable. The 3 Phase Power Resource Site has a section that explains, in a clear and concise fashion, how to design your own three-phase-to-single-phase converters, given the source voltage, the required load voltage and the style of the source transformer.

Familiarize yourself with AC to DC converter chips

AC powered electronic devices require a power supply to take AC from the wall and convert it to DC to power the electronics. Today there are integrated circuits that perform this functionality with far less size than discrete component technology of the past. Seek training on how to design AC to DC converter chips and also how to design circuits that use them.
Try:  EMedia Asia has an article describing an AC to DC converter chip that exhibits 0.02% linearity. Vicor sells a number of AC to DC converter chips and provides a data sheet and technical information on each one, which will allow you to informally educate yourself on how these devices work.

Learn how to select and size electrical power converters for a given application

You want to optimally select and size electrical power converters and industrial power inverters for each job, to save money while ensuring that sufficient power is delivered to the load(s). A three-phase power converter can be static, rotary or of digital solid state design. Static units are the cheapest, but only provide 2/3 the power. A digital phase converter can be the most expensive, but they have highly stable load balance characteristics.
Try:  PhasePerfect provides a collection of articles and press releases that describe the current technologies and equipment capabilities of modern power and phase converters. American Rotary provides a lot of helpful information on selecting and sizing various types of phase converters for the job.

• From a single phase source, connect a three-phase power converter to a three-phase motor. This results in less vibration than with a single-phase motor.