We've recently had a few customers ask about products that claim to convert a standard 220V single-phase supply into 380V three-phase power, such as the various "phase converter" systems now being advertised online.
The short answer is: yes, these devices can create a 380V three-phase output, but they cannot create additional power.
This is where many people get confused.
Think of electricity like water. A phase converter can change the shape of the pipework, but it cannot increase the amount of water coming from the tap.
A standard South African 220V 16A wall socket can supply approximately 3.5KW of power. Even if a phase converter produces a 380V three-phase output, it is still limited by the power available from the original socket.
This means that a converter advertised as "18KW" does not allow an 18KW machine to run from a normal household plug. An 18KW load would require many times more input current than a 16A circuit can provide.
For smaller three-phase equipment, a phase converter can be a useful solution where three-phase power is unavailable. However, for larger industrial machines, including many laser cutters, compressors, and manufacturing equipment, the available electrical supply remains the deciding factor.
Before purchasing a phase converter, we recommend looking at the actual power consumption of the machine rather than the output voltage alone.
There are two separate issues:
1. Voltage Conversion vs Power Availability
A phase converter or inverter can convert 220V single-phase to 380V three-phase, but it cannot create additional power.
If your supply is 220V / 16A, then the maximum available input power is approximately 220×16=3520W.
So your wall outlet can supply roughly 3.5 KW maximum, and realistically less if you don't want to trip the breaker continuously.
2. What does "18 KW Phase Converter" actually mean?
The "18 KW" rating generally means the converter is capable of supplying equipment with loads up to about 18 KW provided the input supply can deliver the required power.
To run a true 18 KW load from single-phase 220V, you'd need roughly an 82A supply – ignoring efficiency losses. In reality, you'd likely need a 90–100A+ single-phase service.
If you're unsure whether your electrical supply is suitable for a particular machine, contact the Perfect Laser Technologies team and we'll gladly help you calculate the real power requirements before you spend money on equipment that may not meet your needs.