Convert 120/240 split phase service to 3 phase 208/120 service 120KVA

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Saturn_Europa

Saturn_Europa

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Electrician Limited License NC, QMED Electrician
My organization is building a remote hospital in Haiti. The city power service is 120/240 split phase. We can't find a 120/240v split phase 120 KVA generator in Haiti. We are going to install a 208/120v 3 phase generator. We would like to use all three phases on the generator. The city poco cannot up grade the service to 3 phase power.

We would like the facility to be 3 phase. Is there a way to convert the the 120/240 split phase into 3 phase.

In my experience phase converters are used for running a specific piece of equipment. Not powering a whole facility.

https://www.phoenixphaseconverters....p-digital-rotary-phase-converter-gpx100l.html and even this beast is to small.

Does anyone know of a double conversion UPS that can convert split phase to 3 phase?
 
Saturn_Europa said:
My organization is building a remote hospital in Haiti. The city power service is 120/240 split phase. We can't find a 120/240v split phase 120 KVA generator in Haiti. We are going to install a 208/120v 3 phase generator. We would like to use all three phases on the generator. The city poco cannot up grade the service to 3 phase power.

We would like the facility to be 3 phase. Is there a way to convert the the 120/240 split phase into 3 phase.

In my experience phase converters are used for running a specific piece of equipment. Not powering a whole facility.

https://www.phoenixphaseconverters....p-digital-rotary-phase-converter-gpx100l.html and even this beast is to small.

Does anyone know of a double conversion UPS that can convert split phase to 3 phase?
Click to expand...
The "simpler" ones like rotary converters or capacitor bank types do not give you stable voltage on the "third phase" either. They are good enough to run a three phase motor - but not necessarily at full load for long periods of time either.
 
Saturn_Europa said:
My organization is building a remote hospital in Haiti. The city power service is 120/240 split phase. We can't find a 120/240v split phase 120 KVA generator in Haiti. We are going to install a 208/120v 3 phase generator. We would like to use all three phases on the generator. The city poco cannot up grade the service to 3 phase power.

We would like the facility to be 3 phase. Is there a way to convert the the 120/240 split phase into 3 phase.

In my experience phase converters are used for running a specific piece of equipment. Not powering a whole facility.

https://www.phoenixphaseconverters....p-digital-rotary-phase-converter-gpx100l.html and even this beast is to small.

Does anyone know of a double conversion UPS that can convert split phase to 3 phase?
Click to expand...
That's a tall order and not possible simply with transformers. I agree with the other poster who suggested you shop more widely for a 120kAV generator that will work with the existing service. That or break it up into samller sections with separate generators and ATS.
 
Saturn_Europa said:
My organization is building a remote hospital in Haiti. The city power service is 120/240 split phase. We can't find a 120/240v split phase 120 KVA generator in Haiti. We are going to install a 208/120v 3 phase generator. We would like to use all three phases on the generator. The city poco cannot up grade the service to 3 phase power.
Click to expand...

Many large 3 phase generators have multiple wiring configurations, and one of these is the 'double delta' configuration which gives single phase split output. This uses all of the phases of the alternator to produce single phase output, though at reduced capacity.

I wonder if this application might be better described if you were asking for a PV system with energy storage than a double conversion UPS.

-Jon
 
You CAN get large industrial class RPCs. They typically need to go outdoors because of heat, so they come with a 3R enclosure. Here’s one I know of:

American Rotary AI Series, Industrial Digital Smart Phase Converter

American Rotary AI Series, Industrial Digital Smart Phase Converter High Performance Industrial Grade Digital Phase Converter
www.southern-tool.com

200A input breaker is the minimum for the 150KVA unit, so your single phase utility source must be capable of that and from what I’ve heard about Haiti, if they can do it at all, it’s not reliable. That to me would favor breaking your loads down into smaller chunks and using smaller double conversion UPS with diesel generator backups.

You can also get a large UPS from some of the major players who would be willing to modify one to accept single phase input. But just like a VFD, the DC bus ripple from a single phase input is problematic, so to get 150KVA output you will need the equivalent of a 300kVA UPS. So you are looking at probably around $300k without the batteries. Nobody makes them (with single phase input, 3 phase output) that large as a catalog item, but I installed one that Toshiba made for a radar site once so I know it can be done.
 
winnie said:
Many large 3 phase generators have multiple wiring configurations, and one of these is the 'double delta' configuration which gives single phase split output. This uses all of the phases of the alternator to produce single phase output, though at reduced capacity.

I wonder if this application might be better described if you were asking for a PV system with energy storage than a double conversion UPS.

-Jon
Click to expand...
Thats interesting. Our sister organization ordered an 88KVA unit from the Cat dealer in Port-au-Prince. They told us that they purchased it as a 3 phase unit and the dealer "wired the windings for split phase". My boss and I discussed this as a solution, but to us it sounded like a "field modification". But maybe it comes from the factory with this option. Do you have anymore information on this? Like an OEM manual or anything.

We are probably going to order a Cat DE150 GC 60Hz which is listed as a 3phase. It has every voltage listed under the sun, so I am assuming it has a double delta config. This would be the best solution.

Ive been searching for an owners manual for the Caterpillar DE 150 but there is nothing online. Must be behind a pay wall. I'll send an email to cat and try to get more info.

Thank you everyone for your replies!!
 
See if it’s a 10 wire or 12 wire. One is much easier than the other one.

here’s one way right quick.
there’s a couple of other ways.
004A623B-45B4-42ED-A355-6FAC6AE87B1C.jpeg
 
If you are buying a new generator and haven't bought it yet, just order it with an oversized alternator so you get the KW you need when its wired to single phase. The issue with reduced capacity (by 1/3) when in single phase has to do with the alternator windings, internal wiring, and breaker and nothing to do with the engine.

For example I have a couple 70kw gensets that have 120kw alternators on them so they can supply full current when operating in single phase mode.
 
So a full load on the alternator (at its rating) would stall the supplied engine?

The intent being cheaper than the same alternator with an engine capable of driving it?
 
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