I am about to move my entire hobby shop from the USA to Poland. That would include Bridgeport, Logan Lathe, Harig surface grinder, Sunnen hone, assorted band saws, assorted pedestal grinders and numerous 115V hand tools. No I really do not want to dispose of them all and start over, as I have rebuilt most of these machines.
Given that Poland has either 230V 1Ph or 400V 3phase (all 50 Hz), and all of my machines are either 115v 1Ph, 230v 1Ph or 230 3Ph (all 60 Hz), I have been investigating the possibilities. I see that there are two problems:
1) Voltage and how it is derived (in the case of 230V single phase and 115V single phase).
2) Frequency conversion.
I am quite prepared to wire my new shop in Poland using a US based breaker panel and US based electrical sockets for 115V and 230V 4-wire.
One consideration was to get a large supply side transformer to take 400V 3Ph-50Hz to 230V 3Ph-50Hz (with the 230V being of the "high leg" configuration). However all of this would still be at 50 Hz. I had thought about then using a large VFD (230V 3Ph-50Hz in to 230V 3Ph-60 Hz out, and connecting this to the electrical distribution panel. From this I could derive 115V circuits which would also be 60Hz.
The second alternative would be to use a Motor Generator. I have a 15HP unit in mind that has a 1750 RPM 460V 3Ph-60Hz motor driving a 1600 RPM 230V 3Ph-60Hz (high leg) generator, via a multiple belt pulley arrangement. I found one of these at a reasonable price (900 USD). What would be the effect if I ran the 460V 3Ph-60Hz motor at 400V 3Ph-50Hz? If it changes the speed of the motor, then I would have to change pulley diameters to make sure that the generator gets back up to the speed required to generate 60 Hz?
The third alternative would be to buy a 15KW natural gas powered generator that put out 230V 60Hz power and run that into the distribution panel.
I would appreciate any insight from those who may have more experience with such a dilemma.
Regards,
Paul