Hi Guys, This is the start of a long journey with a not so clever,enthusiastic artisan. First question: How can you see the difference between star or delta motors or is it just the windings that differ. Second question: I have a 380 volt motor with only 3 connection points,instead of 6 or 9. Is this motor only in star or delta winded in the factory and is it possible to use it off 230 volt, home supply, with a VFD
Thank You
Basie

 

this can be of help to you: https://vfds.com/blog/can-a-vfd-convert-single-phase-power-to-three-phase/

 

If a 3 phase motor has six wires at the terminal box it can be connected in star or delta, the voltage suitable for each option would be on the name plate. If there is only three wires then it is only suitable for one voltage which would also be on the nameplate. Generally if you have a 230V single phase supply and need to power a 3 phase motor then you could get a VFD with 230V 1 phase input and 3 phase 230V output which would need to be connected to a 230V 3 phase motor.

 

Hi Guys, This is the start of a long journey with a not so clever,enthusiastic artisan. First question: How can you see the difference between star or delta motors or is it just the windings that differ. Second question: I have a 380 volt motor with only 3 connection points,instead of 6 or 9. Is this motor only in star or delta winded in the factory and is it possible to use it off 230 volt, home supply, with a VFD
Thank You
Basie

Thank You for the response, however this is a 380 volt motor w.

 

You can usually set a VFD for the drive's rated voltage using parameters, usually in the basic motor setup parameters -- as long as the VFD is capable of supplying the power!

If this is a really big motor (in terms of HP rating), there may not be a 1-phase option. However, for many VFDs, you can absolutely run it off a 1-ph, 230v home supply and get the 3-ph output you need. The star vs. delta windings of the motor itself don't matter as far as selecting the VFD. If the data plate provides the required voltage and current, the VFD simply needs to provide what's needed.

If you had a 6 or 9-wire motor, then you would definitely need to make proper connections of the windings to select the right VFD, otherwise risk damaging the motor. Delta vs. star, in that case, would be the difference between high and low voltage, but when the connections are made at the factory, the data plate tells you what you need to supply.

As to the first part of your question, it is indeed an arrangement of the windings - and it's not even a literal star (or Y) or delta triangle shape inside, that's only the logical winding arrangement concept. If you broke open either kind of motor, it wouldn't look like a Y or a triangle.