Power Issue with my Machine Shop

I have a 100 amp service and all I have is

Get things setup on real 3 phase and move on.

Bob AZ

When you turn on an electric motor, its starting current is momentarily larger than its running current, even loaded. All wire has resistance. The large current running through the wire resistance causes a momentary droop of voltage, which is what causes the lights to dim briefly.

You could go talk to your neighbors and explain to them that you're just turning on an electric motor. If your relationship with them is good, and if you help them fix things from time to time, maybe you can solve this problem politically; i.e. just by talking.

You could also maybe switch to a rotary converter with power factor correction capacitors installed. You can't do much about starting current in your mill's motor, but at least this way you can reduce the reactive current in the line, all of which contributes to the perceived voltage drop.

GWE

So call the power company and ask!

Since you have not supplied a location, or the name of the power company, there is little chance of getting usefull information from any other source.

You may get lucky and the Power Co will upgrade your supply for no cost, as it appears they have already done with the transformer, or they may tell you that you are getting as good as the supply line is capable of, in which case I would be looking at three phase motors, Variable Frequency Drives (aka VFD's), and programming in a soft start , so that the surge does not take down the neighbors power.

Cheers Trevor Jones

I would just get a variable frequency drive. It is much nicer in regards to starting and running those motors, as far as starting surges are concerned.

The neighbors lights dimming is the power company's problem, not yours. If a 25kva transformer isn't enough that's their determination and their's to fix.

If you're going to be working alone (no employees) you will only have one machine going at a time and 100 amp service should handle that easily. However if the panel needs to be replaced anyhow (e.g., if it has fuses), 200amp would do. If you're talking about a mini factory with multiple CNC machines running simultaneously, that's a different story.

Bob

VFD's would eliminate the starting surge plus give you convenient (and superior) speed control for both the lathe and mill. You already have a

VFD's are so cheap that phase converters are no longer a viable option when you take into account the additional benefits of electronic speed control, soft starting, etc.

Randy

You've never lived in the country have you?

Real 3 phase power could be many miles from his house.

In all probability that was supposed to be 15 kva. Remember also that these utility grade transformers are rated to handle a 100% overload for

If the OP is really out in the country the problem may be in the primary distribution lines out to his area and not in the local transformer. Indeed if a Bridgeport of what, 2 hp starting up is causing a noticeable dip after the transformer was upgraded to 25 kva this is likely the case.

The utility isn't likely going to replace the miles of primary until they are convinced it is old enough that's it's become more costly to repair than replace, or some big customer comes into the area like a big commercial building or a big housing developer.

Pete C.

I'm not an expert or anything but it should be pretty easy to rig up a UPS unit to feed enough power to get past the initial current ramp on those motors- I can't vouch for your area but I know around here almost every junkyard has several large UPSs that you can buy by the pound. The trick will be matching your discharge curve to that initial spike- you'd need a much larger unit than rated for those motors because they draw so much current cold. Beyond that though it shouldn't be a problem- just make sure that you're primed before you turn the whole setup on.

My 10 HP idler motor draws about 120 amps of 240v at startup. That adds to about 28 kVa. Very serious size for a UPS, it would weigh about a ton. It would also have enough electronics to salvage to afford to buy a small VFD for the bridgeport mill.

Much simpler to spend the $200-$300 on a good VFD that will allow you to soft start your three phase motor.

Pete C.

simpler, just not as MacGuyverly. Or cheap, if you can find junked UPSs. I think this may be why I live alone, however ;).

Right, you have to get a big (free) three phase online type UPS and modify it to provide you with "real" three phase power for the shop complete with starting surges, while drawing a nice constant load of single phase from the utility and even keeping you from wrecking parts you're working on when the utility power goes out.

Pete C.

Yep. My short furry wife (cat) never gives me any crap about buying tools.

Pete C.

Yep, good point about those giant UPSes being 3 phase.

Yeah, to be honest I forgot about that- used to dealing with UPSs for computers. I'm still sure you could rig it but its seeming less and less worth it.

Yes I have. But the OP said they replaced the transformer with a 25KVA. That says 3 phase is distributed nearby to me.

Bob AZ

Not sure where you come up with that, perhaps something unique to the utility in your area. I've seen numerous 25kva transformers far from any three phase feeders and that's in two different states.

Pete C.

PV: Ahm takin some s*it to the dump. Wife: Come back w/ *anything* FROM the dump, and yer dead meat. PV: Yes, dear. I make sure I come back after she's left for work. :) :) Let's see-- junk--wife--junk--wife--hmmmm, well, wife *does* cook good.....