When buying your next baler, be sure to understand single and three phase systems and requirements.
Single vs. Three Phase Electrical
In electricity, phase refers to the distribution of the load of the electrical current. Single phase power is a two-wire alternating current (ac) power circuit. There is one power wire and one neutral wire, with current flowing between the power wire and the neutral wire. Single phase is most often used in residential applications or where 120V service is common.
Single-phase power uses less wires on the electrical distribution system and the end-user’s system, resulting in lower installation costs.
In large commercial buildings and industrial applications where larger motors are used, single phase power is usually not adequate.
Three-phase power is a three-wire ac power circuit, sometimes using a fourth wire as neutral. Three-phase power supplies are more efficient. A three-phase power supply can transmit three times as much power as a single-phase power supply, while only needing one additional wire. They deliver power at a steady, constant rate. But, three phase electrical service is more expensive to install or alter.
Single & Three Phase Recycling Balers
Before purchasing your next vertical baler, its important to know what phase of baler you are looking at, as well as the available electrical service in your operating area. Not only should you confirm what type of phase power you have in your building, you should take special care to make sure that this type of service is available in the location you plan to use your baler. Just because you have three phase power in the building doesn’t mean that its available in your backroom, for example.
Harmony’s vertical balers differ in electrical phase configuration, mostly due to size of motor and amperage employed. Let’s take a moment and look at the different types of vertical balers and their electrical configurations.
Single Phase Balers By Harmony
Harmony’s single phase vertical balers, like this M42BC in Kingman, AZ, use single phase power.
Harmony offers a variety of single phase balers and are most commonly designed as our 30-42″ models. This includes our M30STD, M30HD, M42BC, and M42HD. Each uses an efficient 2 HP motor.
They are affordable space-saving vertical balers, often referred to as “plug & play” machines. But, don’t let that terminology confuse you! “Plug and play” does not mean that they can be plugged into a standard 120V outlet.
While they run on 115/230V systems, these small balers utilize twist lock plugs that require special outlets for use.
Your electrical service must be equipped with the correct electrical outlet to accept this type of safety plug.
Three Phase Balers By Harmony
Harmony manufactures four models of vertical balers that can operate on either single or three phase systems.
Harmony’s 48-60″ balers, like these M60STD’s can be converted from standard 3 phase to single phase.
Our M48HD, M60MD, M60CB, and M60STD all come standard as three phase balers, but can be changed over and operate as single phase to accommodate facilities that have single phase electric and don’t want to burden the extra expense to change their service over. The M48HD, M60MD, and M60CB all have a 5HP motor, and the M60STD can be changed from its existing 10HP motor to a 5HP motor to work as a single phase vertical baler.
Harmony Enterprises manufactures four models of larger vertical balers suitable for use in larger commercial, industrial, retail, and manufacturing applications.
These larger vertical balers utilize 20HP motors and come standard as three phase machines. These include our M72HD, S60XD/S60XDRC, and T60XD/T60XDRC balers. When doing your homework about the many benefits of these machines, be sure to note the three phase requirements for your facility.
Your Resource For All Your Baler Needs
If you need help deciding which baler is best for your business, determining the right electrical configuration for your operations, or need to learn more about your baler installation and electrical requirements, we are here to help!
Our sales, customer service, technical support, and engineering teams are all ready to assist you with any question you might have, to make sure you get it right on the front end of your baler buying process.
Just call us at (507) 886-6666, email us at [email protected], or fill out this simple form to understand single and three phase vertical balers today!
