HowTo: 240V Supply to a 400V AC Motor - Application Detail

A.

Curve for 400V Motor with either 240V or 400V Inverter Drive.

B.

Speed range where Motor Torque progressively reduces.

C.

Reduced load only is possible.

D.

Normal Performance Curve for 400V Motor on a 400V Inverter Drive.

It is not uncommon for home workshops to include machinery requiring a 3 phase 400V supply (often marked
380 420V). This can appear to be a problem where a 3 phase supply isnt immediately available. However, it is
possible to run such equipment from a domestic 230V supply using nothing more than an off the shelf Inverter
Drive.
If you are unable to change the connections or windings to 240V 3 phase, then read on for the next best
solution... The speed of an Electric Motor is determined by Voltage and Frequency. So, a 400V 50Hz Motor will
run at rated speed at 400V/50Hz and half rated speed at 200V/25Hz. Provided this Voltage/Frequency ratio is
maintained, the Motor will operate at full Torque ideal in a Lathe application where speed must remain constant
even when a load (the tool) is applied (to a work piece).
An Inverter Drive is not only able to convert a 230V single phase supply to 230V 3 phase but it also controls both
the output Frequency and Voltage to maintain the correct ratio. It therefore follows that a 400V/50Hz Motor will
operate normally at 230V and 29Hz, just at two thirds the speed (eg. 1000rpm instead of 1500rpm).
The parameter to set in the Inverter Drive is "Base Frequency" or "Nominal Frequency" (depending on the
manufacturer) in Motor Settings.
Above 29Hz, the Motor will become progressively "Under-Fluxed" (Torque will reduce) as a 230V Inverter does
not normally exceed its supply voltage. However, this will only be evident if the Motor is fully loaded. If it is, the
Motor will look for more current to meet the load. A correctly set Inverter will provide protection against this by
reducing the speed automatically to bring the load current under the maximum "over-current" set.

It is important to note that when an Inverters output voltage does not match the Motors rated voltage, specifying
the correct Inverter is not a simple case of matchingkW and it should instead be matched to the Motor full load
current.
Full Load Current of 400V x 50Hz 4 Pole motors are as follows:

5.5kW (7.5HP) - 11.4A

4.0kW (5.4HP) - 8.6A

3.0kW (4HP) - 6.4A

2.2kW (3HP) - 4.9A

1.5kW (2HP) - 3.6A

1.1kW (1.5HP) - 2.7A

0.75kW (1HP) - 2.0A

0.55kW (0.75HP) - 1.5A

0.37kW (0.5HP) - 1.2A

0.25kW (0.33HP) - 0.8A

0.18kW (0.25HP) - 0.63A

0.12kW (0.16HP) - 0.44A

Three Phase Output Current of 230V Single Phase Input Inverters are as follows:

3.0kW (4HP) - 12.6A

2.2kW (3HP) - 9.8A

1.5kW (2HP) - 7.5A

1.1kW (1.5HP) - 6.7A

0.75kW (1HP) - 4.7A

0.55kW (0.75HP) - 3A

0.37kW (0.5HP) - 2.4A

0.25kW (0.33HP) - 1.7A

0.18kW (0.25HP) - 0.63A

0.12kW (0.16HP) - 0.44A

If the sacrifice of some top speed performance is acceptable for the application, this method provides an
excellent low cost solution in allowing domestic workshop use of small Industrial Machine tools.

As is the case with any form of electrical machinery, it is important to ensure that it is installed and commissioned
correctly by a competent person and with the proper safety considerations such as earthing and emergency stop
provision.