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WHAT IS A PHASE SEQUENCE CORRECTOR?
The backbone of any business is clean, dependable, and stable power. Electrical machines are built to operate under specific power limitations. If certain parameters are not met, these machines may not function properly or, in some cases, at all. Thus, the importance of supplying the necessary electrical power to these machinery can not be overemphasised as this is required to keep businesses running. Selfguard is one of the best automatic phase sequence corrector manufacturers in India.
Electrical machines can be divided into two types based on their phase voltage power supply. They are as follows:
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Single Phase Machines
These are electrical machines that use only one of the three phases, a neutral, and an earth to operate.
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Three Phase Machines
These machines require all three phases, with or without neutral and earth, to work.
Many electrical power characteristics influence the operation of three-phase machinery. This study, on the other hand, covers phase rotation (sequence).
The order in which the voltage waveforms of a polyphase AC source reach their separate peaks is referred to as phase rotation or phase sequencing. There are only two conceivable phase sequences for a three-phase system: R-Y-B and B-Y-R, which correspond to the two possible alternator rotation directions.
Resistive loads are unaffected by phase rotation, however unbalanced reactive loads, capacitive and inductive loads are. When they do, these machines either function poorly or do not function at all. Examples of three-phase loads include:
- Motors
- UPS/Inverters
- Air-conditioners
- Lifts
Motors
Phase rotation faults can occur in all three phase motors. When the voltage provided to the motor does not satisfy the required phase rotation, the motor will run in the other direction instead of clockwise. When this happens, instead of sucking the liquid, the motor draws air into the liquid.
In the case of fueling stations, this means that the three-phase pump will be unable to dispense fuel.
UPS/Inverters
UPS/inverters are extremely sensitive to phase rotation errors, and when they occur, the voltage supply is not within their tolerated limits. The devices will then be powered by batteries. When the battery power runs out, the machines shut off.
Air-conditioners
Three-phase air conditioner compressors, like any other three-phase motor, are susceptible to phase sequence issues. Unlike typical motors, which operate oppositely, the PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) in A/Cs shut down the compressor, thereby turning off the A/C.
Lifts/Escalators
When a phase rotation error occurs, these devices shut down. This is because they also use motors in their activities. When a phase rotation error occurs, these motors shut down by receiving a signal from the PCBs and therefore shutting down the entire lift or escalator.
How Do Phase Errors Occur
When a utility provider works on power lines, he or she may exchange the lines by mistake or on purpose once the work is completed. This is not a problem with single-phase loads because they are not impacted by phase sequence mistakes, but it becomes a problem when the machine uses three-phase voltage and is sensitive to phase problems.
Demerits of Phase Errors
Some of these machines may have sensors in them to switch off. When these machines switch off, some companies will then rely on power generators. Until the phase is reversed by the utility company (ECG), the company will keep on running on generator power if they want to be operational. This comes with its added cost to the company, i.e. buying of fuel for the generators, premature servicing the generators and part replacement.
Companies and institutions that do not have backup power will be completely shut down.
Solving Phase Errors
The unproductive downtime or operating costs of power generators mentioned above highlight the need for a phase sequence corrector. The Phase Sequence Corrector is an electrical equipment that automatically corrects phase changes. As a result, it avoids the
- downtime
- running cost of power generators
- breakdowns
- inconveniences associated with phase sequence errors.