Uneven Amp Draw on 3 Phase Converter With 6x45 Ohm Heating Elements—Is This Normal?

I don't have 3 phase power in my shop and from time to time I need to work on 3 phase equipment.  I have a 3 phase converter installed and it seems to work fine.

Today I was working on a cooking applicance that has 6 45 ohm resistance elements used to heat a tank.

I noticed a couple of things that seemed a bit strange.  First it took a bit longer than I expected to get the unit to temperature.  Second, I was expecting the same amp draw on all three legs.  - I would have expected aroud 26 on each leg.  Instead I was getting 16, 13 and 12

My question is whether or not these anomolies are a function of how the converter works and combines to make the thrd phase?

I isolated each element and they all range from 43.5 to 45 ohms.  I also traced the wiring to verify the load was split evenly among the phases.

Thanks,

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good day David.

I hope you don't mind me asking, what method did you use to measure the resistances?
Things tend to act funny when there is impedance mismatch.

Regards,
Justin

I had checked each element with an ohm meter connected directly to the contacts. I before I put them in the unit (I had replaced all of them).

Then when I was getting odd results I checked them again in case one had become damaged. This time I unplugged the connection on one terminal and put the meter between the two terminals.

I also took an AMP reading at each element and they all were a little different but they were all drawing power - I forget the exact and don't have my notes.

This is why I suspect the phase converter acts a bit weird with heating elements. I also know these elements are set up for 208 3 phase and you get 220-240 per phase with the converter.

Thanks