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Rotary Phase Converter Vs. VFD: Which Do You Need?

What’s the best way to power three-phase equipment in your workshop? VFDs and rotary phase converters are two key options, each with its own strengths and limitations.  VFDs are an efficient way to power individual machines, while rotary phase converters are ideal for powering multiple pieces of equipment. The right answer for you depends on […]

Phase Converter Maintenance

As the seasons are changing and temperatures are getting colder, we start to think of the various maintenance needed around the home such as changing the furnace filters, changing smoke detector batteries, making sure we have a good battery in our vehicle, etc. So, this is also a good time to do a check-up and […]

Three Phase Precision

Yates Precision Manufacturing is owned and operated by Jake and Ashley Yates in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Founded in June of 2017, Yates Precision began as a contract manufacturing shop and actually began making safety razors by accident! After receiving one as a gift from his dad, safety razors soon piqued Jake’s interest and he began wondering […]

Maximizing Real Estate Opportunities Through Three Phase Power

American Rotary Industrial Phase Converters Facilitate Commercial RealEstate to Create an Easier to Lease and More Profitable Property Located in Buffalo New York, Amy is a real estate agent who specializes in renting out commercial properties. Mainly focusing on properties used for varying businesses, her clients have a wide range of needs – many times […]

CNC mill head cutting a workpiece with Guide to Choosing a Rotary Phase Converter for CNC Machining as a caption

Guide to Choosing a Rotary Phase Converter for CNC Machining

CNC machining is great for a lot of different applications. But you need a stable and consistent power supply, or you risk damaging this valuable equipment. Is a rotary phase converter a good option for powering CNC machines? Yes, but you’ll need to keep some key considerations in mind. First off, why would you need […]

How to Choose a Three Phase Converter for Welders and Metalworking

A three phase converter is a great way to provide reliable, efficient power to a wide range of the best welders and metalworking equipment. Choosing the right converter for your needs involves considering the load requirements of your equipment, your existing electricity service, and other key factors. Metalworking equipment can be as varied as the […]

Static vs. Rotary Phase Converters

Static and rotary phase converters both turn standard single-phase electricity into three-phase power for heavy-duty equipment. The difference is that a static phase converter will start a three-phase load, but run it under lower power, while a rotary phase converter creates continuous, well-balanced three-phase power. Why would you need to convert single-phase to three-phase power? […]

How Does a Phase Converter Work?

A phase converter uses a motor to convert single-phase electricity—the typical utility electric power service—into the three-phase power required by many different types of heavy-duty industrial equipment. It’s a great tool where three-phase power is either unavailable or too costly to install. If you have a shop that uses powerful machinery—for woodworking, metalworking, CNC machining, […]

What You Need to Know When Buying a Transformer

Buying a transformer can be stressful and confusing, so American Rotary would like to help you better understand what transformers are right for you. Some things to consider when buying a transformer are: Why do I even need a transformer? What type of environment am I putting it in? How do I size a transformer? […]

American Rotary Phase Converter Installation Video

If you’ve recently purchased a phase converter or are considering purchasing one, you may be wondering what is all involved when it comes to setting it up. In this video, we show you the basic installation techniques of the American Rotary Phase Converter Panel. The idea is to show how easy it is to install, […]

American Rotary Phase Converter Unboxing, Setup, and Wiring

Thanks to American Rotary customer, Michael Murray, we have a few videos to show you exactly what to expect when you receive an American Rotary phase converter. The unit used in these videos is an AD series model. So keep in mind, some things may vary depending on your specific order for your unique setup, […]

A Beginners Guide to Sizing a Rotary Phase Converter for Your Machine Shop

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO SIZING A ROTARY PHASE CONVERTER FOR YOUR MACHINE SHOP Well, you’ve done it! You have your own shop just like you’ve always wanted and it is in the perfect location. There is only one problem. You have the equipment of your dreams in your shop, but it is just sitting there, […]

What is the UL Listing and Why You May Want it

When choosing an American Rotary phase converter you may see on the website or get asked about the option for the UL listing. For those of you not working in the electrical industry day-to-day, it may spark some curiosity. American Rotary is a UL approved Company that utilizes all UL approved components as part of […]

The Benefits of a Rotary Phase Converter Compared to Utility Three Phase and Three Phase Generator

It is true there are other options out there to get three-phase power to your equipment. Each option has its pros but it does come down to what is affordable for you and your situation. The options are to get three-phase power are through your utility line, a gas or diesel generator, or through a […]

A lathe machine operator standing with arms crossed

Your Most Common Questions Answered When it Comes to Three-Phase Power

Recently, Jim out of California called us and inquired about who exactly American Rotary is and why we do what we do. He was starting up a shop in his pole barn behind his house and had acquired a few solid pieces of three-phase equipment but only had single-phase power.  It was a great conversation […]

5 Tips For Maintaining Electric Motors

In this article, we will go over five points on how to keep your electric motors running properly and help extend the life expectancy of your motors. We will go over lubrication, bearing inspection, checking your rotor and stator, motor mount, and how important keeping records are. Follow these and you should see sustained performance […]

Product Overview: The AI Industrial Digital Phase Converter

Designed specifically for the outdoor demand of agricultural applications and the hard environment of industrial conditions, the AI Industrial phase converter can save you thousands of dollars per year over utility and diesel generated power sources. Need more power? Need more precise power? Just turn on your American Rotary Smart Series Converter and let our technology […]

MicroSmart controller on ADX rotary phase converter.

Product Overview: The American Rotary MicroSmart Controller

The American Rotary MicroSmart controller is a state-of-the-art microprocessor that delivers the RIGHT power and the RIGHT time in both start-up and run. Available in the AD, ADX, AMP, and AI models, the MicroSmart controller monitors voltage every 50 milliseconds in order to provide better voltage control, giving you more precise power, and protection to […]

Blacksmithing For Beginners – 5 Tips To Get Started

A few weeks ago some of the American Rotary team headed to Indiana to visit Dusty Hicks at his machine shop where we got some insights on machining. While we were there we also met with Richard Hicks in his blacksmith shop where he was also kind enough to take a few moments to share with […]

Top 5 Things To Know When Buying a Phase Converter

Everyday we get hundreds of calls with questions about phase converters. So, we thought we would take a moment and go over the top 5 things you should know before buying a phase converter. As you can see, there are a few basic things you should know before buying a phase converter. As a recap: […]

wooden table legs

American Rotary Expands Global Distribution of Three Phase Power Converters

American Rotary will offer its industry leading three phase power solutions in partnership with South American distributors Menomonee Falls, WI, May, 18th, 2015 – American Rotary, the world’s leading manufacturer of three phase rotary phase converters announced it has expanded distribution in Latin America. The company has solidified partnerships with LAERA, Wesco Distribution, Summit Electric, as well as a […]

wooden beads

Americana Rotary expande Distribución Global de los Transformadores de corriente Fase Tres

Americana Rotary ofrecerá su líder en la industria de tres soluciones de energía de fase en colaboración con los distribuidores de América del Sur Menomonee Falls, WI, Mayo 18, 2015 – American Rotary, el principal fabricante del mundo de convertidores de fase rotativo trifásicos anunció que ha ampliado su distribución en América Latina. La compañía ha consolidado alianzas […]

How to Create a Solid American Made Brand

It is increasingly hard to find true American Manufactured products.  So many companies today have a nice American facade, but with products that are imported and re-branded. American Rotary started in a back bedroom and garage in Illinois, and was born out of the need for a better way to convert single phase power to three […]

Life Long Memories with American Rotary Phase Converters

We visit Life Long Memories, a company that has custom equipment to perforate paper to make bookmarks for the funeral industry. The equipment has a regenerative blower, vacuum pump, and several motors that drive linear motion. They are all controlled by VFD’s (variable frequency drives) and powered by an American Rotary Phase Converter.

an example of fixturing in a milling machine

Digital Rotary Phase Converter Quick Build at Factory

A sneak peak into the American Rotary Factory as a digital SMART Converter is assembled, tested and shipped out to a customer. All American Rotary Phase Converters are entirely made in the USA and our staff of engineers and customer service people are always on hand to find the perfect solution to your three-phase power […]

American Rotary ADX Phase Converter

The American Rotary ADX “Smart Series” Phase Converter demonstrates the starting power of these converters. We compare the time it takes an ADX to start (2.9 seconds) an Ingersol-Rand T30 20HP Air-compressor to the time it takes a typical rotary phase converter (7.9 seconds) to start the same air-compressor. Just over 2 minutes.

Balanced Voltage Claims – Truth or Fiction?

For years, many companies have used (and continue to use) the inexpensive method of “stacking” run capacitors in order to get a phase converter started. Those capacitors are not taken out of the circuit once the phase converter is running, which results in extremely high voltage and current imbalance. This condition causes current overloads that […]

Integrated Soft Start – How it came about, why it is so great, and why everyone is talking about it.

We thought we’d take a moment to talk about American Rotary’s integrated soft start. For years, phase converters have had a reputation of drawing a huge inrush current upon start up. This disproportionate power draw has resulted in, among other things, dimming the neighbor’s lights, demand charges from the utility, and large increases on power […]

Introduction to American Rotary’s Blog

Welcome to the American Rotary blog! American Rotary is the manufacturer and distributor of the largest selection of phase converters and industrial transformers online. American Rotary is the only phase converter manufacturer to offer every type of phase converter: static, rotary, digital, CNC, and variable frequency (inverter or VFD). We will use this blog to […]