Running 380V 60Hz Impregnation Machine in Turkey 400V 50Hz: Motors, Inverters, PLC

Good morning,

I wonder if anyone can help me. My company produces special purpose machines for the global market. We have built an impregnation machine for a client in Brazil. Three phase power in Brazil is 380 V @ 60Hz. Our client now wants to send this machine to Turkey instead. Three phase power in Turkey is 400 V @50Hz. What would be the best approach to take to convert the machine to run on Turkish power. The machine has a number of motors, pumps, inverters, PLC, HMI and the full load current is around 200A.

I look forward to receiving some feedback.

Regards

Gary Parker

Hi Gary-You may be OK without changing anything.  there's not that much difference between 380 and 400 volts.  The inverters and PLC probably convert to DC internally, so frequency is probably not an issue there. If the motors and pumps are running directly off the AC line, and if they are basic induction motors, they will run a little slower.I think the most important thing to do is to check the nameplate rating on each of the devices, in the machine and make sure the voltage and frequency is within acceptable limits.  If the motors are induction type,  make sure your machine will still perform properly with the motors and pumps running at 5/6 of their rated speed.  Note that any motor running on an inverter or variable speed drive will probably not be affected.-Rick

More information needed based on Rick's comments. If there are any mains transformers  and they are not conservatively rated they could be operating close to or into saturation as a consequence of the frequency drop.If the motors are run directly off the mains, as Rick said, they will run slower. They will also have less HP, less cooling, and V/f is higher. The last may be mitigated by lowering the working voltage, but in your case you are increasing it!  You may have to install extra cooling if the ambient temperature is a lot higher for example.Rick  says it all, check your name plate ratings, and figure out the consequences for each part of the system and hence for the system as a whole. The companies reputation stands on a sound product, nothing worse than selling an under performing machine, or one that needs excessive maintenance to keep it running.Cheers,Richard