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What Are Phase Converters?

By: PowerLine Phase Converters


What Is a Phase Converter?


Phase converters accept traditional single-phase electricity, the kind most homes

and small shops use for standard lighting, power, and outlets, into three-phase power. Many industrial machines, including lathes, mills, pumps, CNCs, and many

more require this.

Many shops do not come standard with three-phase power as it is either too

expensive to install, think $50,000+ per mile, or simply not available from the local grid

infrastructure. A phase converter is a great option to give you the power you need without

breaking the bank.


A phase converter comes in a few types, and choosing the right one depends on

what you are looking to run. We produce and sell rotary phase converters, which are best

for most general use cases. Below is a breakdown of the different types and their features.


  • Rotary Phase Converters (Our Pick):


    • Creates true, full-power three-phase electricity

    • Can run many types of loads: motors, resistive, inductive, and sensitive

      electronics

    • Perfect for shops running multiple machines or voltage-sensitive

      equipment like CNCs

    • Include an idler motor and a control panel


  • Static Phase Converters:


    • Good for light use

    • Starts a 3-phase motor, but then runs at reduced power, about ⅔ capacity


  • Digital Phase Converters:


    • Higher initial cost, but quite efficient

    • Limitations on motor sizes and applications

    • Good for modern, precise machinery


How Does a Rotary Phase Converter Work?


A rotary phase converter has two main parts:


1) Control Panel:


The control panel initiates the rotation of the idler motor and manages the

converter. It manages the startup, operation, and protection of the rotary phase converter

system. The control panel also balances the voltage output of the generated third phase, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.


2) Idler Motor:


The Idler motor is controlled by the panel and effectively creates the third phase of

power. This portion of the converter acts similarly to a generator and is the core

of the rotary phase converter. It is a motor that, when energized by the single-phase input,

rotates and generates the third phase of power required for a three-phase system.

Together, they turn your single-phase supply into clean, balanced three-phase power.


Why Choose PowerLine Phase Converters?


We’re here to help you power your shop—efficiently, affordably, and reliably.


What Makes Us Different


  • We are a small business with years of industry experience to ensure that our

customers are never disappointed.

  • We offer high-quality products with a variety of choices to accommodate any

customer’s specific needs. These range from fully built rotary phase converters to

do-it-yourself kits for more customization.

  • We help you choose the right size and configuration for your exact setup.


What Products Do We Offer?


We’ve got solutions for every kind of setup, whether you need a complete system or,

for more experienced users, DIY kits for users who want to build their own:


Complete Phase Converters with Motor and Panel


  • Ranging from 5 Hp to 50 Hp CNC Balanced Rotary Phase Converters

    • This product comes with a new motor, panel, and visual instructions for easy

installation.

  • Panels paired to the motor with an advanced design to give the best voltage

    balance

  • Voltage balance around 1% or better

  • Build time: Ready out of the box


Complete Used Motor Model Converters with Motor and Panel


  • Ranging from 3 Hp to 50 Hp CNC Balanced Units

    • This product comes with a refurbished used motor, panel, and visual

Instructions for easy installation.

  • Panels paired to the motor with an advanced design to give the best voltage

balance

  • Voltage balance around 1% or better

  • Build time: Ready out of the box


Complete Panels


  • Ranging from 3 Hp to 25 Hp Rotary Phase Converter Panels

    • This product comes with a complete, ready-to-use panel. Motor not

included.

  • Two switch options are available:

    • Traditional toggle on/off switch.

    • Push-Button, which comes with an additional safety feature, as the panel

will automatically turn off if power were to be cut.

  • General design to accommodate many motor designs for stated horsepower

  • Voltage balance 5-10%

  • Build time: Panel is ready out of the box; customer-supplied motor connection is

    described in the included visual instructions.


Quick Build Rotary Phase Converter Kits


  • Ranging from 3 Hp to 25 Hp Kits

    • This product comes with all the required materials to build a complete panel.

These include:

  • Predrilled panel

  • Precut wires to specified lengths

  • All parts needed to build a basic converter

  • Motor not included

  • General design to accommodate many motor designs for stated horsepower

  • Voltage balance 5-10%

  • Build time: 30 - 60 minutes


Basic Phase Converter Kits


  • Ranging from 3 Hp to 25 Hp Kits

    • This product comes with all parts required to build a complete panel

excluding the panel itself. These include:

  • All required gauges of wire that must be cut to length

  • All parts needed to build a basic converter

  • Visual-based instructions

  • Motor and panel not included.

  • General design to accommodate many motor designs for stated horsepower

  • Voltage balance 5-10%

  • Build time: 2 - 4 hours


Product Comparison Table


Product Type

HP Range

Price Range

Best For

Complete Motor & Panel

5 Hp – 40 Hp

Call to Order

Full turnkey installation

Used Motor & Panel

5 Hp – 50 Hp

Call to Order

Budget-conscious users

Complete Panels

3 Hp – 25 Hp

$250 – $610

Replacing or upgrading the control panel only

Quick Build Kits

3 Hp – 25 Hp

$210 – $530

DIY-ers wanting faster setup

Basic Kits

3 Hp – 25 Hp

$145 – $425

Experienced users or custom builds


Buying Guide Suggestions


Need help picking the right unit? Start here:


  1. Know Your Load: List the horsepower of all machines you'll be running.

  2. Check the Voltage: Match your machine’s voltage with the converter.

  3. Count Simultaneous Loads: Running more than one machine at a time? Size up.

  4. Choose Your Format:

    1. Want plug-and-play? Go Complete Converter.

    2. Want to save with DIY? Choose Quick Build or Basic Kit.

  5. Ask Us for Help: We offer free consultations and a sizing document to simplify

your choice.


Final Thoughts


Phase converters are the key to unlocking the full potential of your shop—even if you’re miles from a three-phase power line. Whether you’re running a CNC machine, a large air compressor, or a woodworking setup, PowerLine Phase Converters has the solution that fits your needs.


Have questions? Need help picking the right model?


Contact us today — powerlinephaseconverter@gmail.com    231-577-9217

We're here to help power your success.



 
 
 

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