220v VS 380v Spindle Difference

[BigBrand]

Im currently choosing a new spindle for my build and i was wondering the difference between a 220v and a 380v spindle.

Obviously one operates at a higher voltage. I know all the spindle motors have 3 phases going into them.

Am i right in saying the 220v is a unit that has say 230v single phase powering the VFD whereas the 380v needs a 415v 3 phase supply here in the UK.

Is there any other differences / benefits?

[m_c]

You are right.

230V allows the spindle to be controlled via a standard 230V in/230V out VFD, whereas the 380V requires a VFD with 380V out.

Other than that, provided everything else within the specs is the same, there is no difference other than the higher voltage will also need less current for any given power rating.

[Voicecoil]

It might be worth adding that it generally seems that higher power spindles seem to run off 380V. Having said that I seem to recall from one of your other posts that you're not intending to be cutting anything terribly thick on this machine so you might not need to go that route anyway.

[BigBrand]

i've seen a few people say that you don't use anywhere near the capacity of the spindle on most cutting tasks.. especially for the kind of stuff we are cutting as you say.

However, I might be temped to get a 380v unit as it will help balance the loadings in the building rather than dumping it all on one phase.