Why use a three-phase motor?

Why use a three-phase motor?

Many customers ask us why use a three-phase motor. Three-phase motors are generally used in industrial and agricultural applications. They are used by manufacturers, farms, and for equipment manufacturing.

Many equipment manufacturers use three-phase asynchronous motors in their applications because they are robust, have a standardized design, and are economical.

Three-phase motors are long-lasting. Indeed, they are durable because they are quite easy to manufacture and consist of very few wear parts.

In which applications should you use a three-phase motor?

The three-phase motor can equip many applications in industry. Three-phase motors have replaced thermal motors because they are more economical and require little maintenance. The only parts to replace are the bearings to prevent any breakdown. Connection and commissioning are simple and quick.

They can equip the following applications:

• Compressors
• Belt conveyors
• Chain conveyors
• Hydraulic pumps
• Centrifugal pumps
• Multistage pumps
• Liquid ring pumps
• Mechanical reducers
• Fans
• Grain crushers
• Grinders
• Refrigeration units
• High-pressure cleaners
• Bucket elevators
• Machine tools
• Overhead cranes

However, there are also single-phase motors, so why use a three-phase motor? Three-phase motors have a much wider power range than single-phase motors. They can be manufactured from 0.06 to 1000Kw in low voltage (below 1000V) and will therefore have a higher nominal torque than single-phase motors.

Single-phase motors are manufactured up to 4kw because the current generated by it would be too high to be supplied by a domestic network. Your circuit breaker would detect an overcurrent and trip, which is why machine manufacturers prefer three-phase motors.

Furthermore, the current consumed by a three-phase motor powered at 400V is lower than that of a single-phase motor powered at 230V.

That’s why use a three-phase motor.