Turning two phase mains into three phase

[Squaredy]

I have for years run a three phase generator to run my larger machinery.  I have been taking advice from a very helpful college lecturer whom I know and he thinks we can easily use two transformers to convert my mains split phase (two phase) to proper three phase  415 volts.

 

I have of course asked the power company for a price for installing the missing phase and it was £24,000, so I kept the genny!  But it seems for a matter of a few hundred pounds worth of transformers and appropriate wiring I can turn my two phases into three.  Anyone else tried this or have a view?

 

Part of the attraction of doing this is reduced maintenance, reduced fuel cost, reduced emissions, reduced noise, and the ability to replace my main petrol sawmill with an electric version.

 

Thoughts?

[difflock]

If it were that simple  .  .  .

Why would "everybody" not be doing it?

[Rough Hewn]

I thought all electric was 3 ph
Until you take a single off at your domestic box?

[lux]

I have for years run a three phase generator to run my larger machinery.  I have been taking advice from a very helpful college lecturer whom I know and he thinks we can easily use two transformers to convert my mains split phase (two phase) to proper three phase  415 volts.
 
I have of course asked the power company for a price for installing the missing phase and it was £24,000, so I kept the genny!  But it seems for a matter of a few hundred pounds worth of transformers and appropriate wiring I can turn my two phases into three.  Anyone else tried this or have a view?
 
Part of the attraction of doing this is reduced maintenance, reduced fuel cost, reduced emissions, reduced noise, and the ability to replace my main petrol sawmill with an electric version.
 
Thoughts?

Yup. Can be done fairly easy. Friends workshop is set up like that and seems fine. Large metal work drills , power hammer etc (blacksmith)

[difflock]

16 minutes ago, lux said:

Yup. Can be done fairly easy. Friends workshop is set up like that and seems fine. Large metal work drills , power hammer etc (blacksmith)

So tell us more?

[Squaredy]

33 minutes ago, difflock said:

If it were that simple  .  .  .

Why would "everybody" not be doing it?

Well maybe lots of people do?

[Squaredy]

28 minutes ago, Rough Hewn said:

I thought all electric was 3 ph
Until you take a single off at your domestic box?

You are correct there are always three phases.  Most streets have groups of houses on each of the three phases.  The problem is that only two phases reach my site.  The third phase stops about a mile away....

[Craig.]

It can be done using a phase converter.

A static one would suit smaller machines, a rotary one would be better for a mill.

[roys]

When you say only 2 phases are reaching your site, is this a remote site with a transformer on a pole. If so it is probably an 11kV 2 phase to 240V transformer, so at your service head ( the bit where the cable terminates in your property there will be just one service fuse and one meter, giving you only one usable phase.

Of course having not seen your place you maybe do have two phases and two meters.

Edited January 17, 2021 by roys
Typo

[lux]

So tell us more?

He just uses a phase converter. About £400 from machine mart. Seems todo the job. I borrowed his 3 phase drill that was running off it. Works a treat.