MCW were called in to look at an issue with a Organ compressor
in the China Street Chapel in the nearby town of Llanidloes.
The Chapel was built in 1779, with the organ being installed in 1896. At the heart of the organ is a large bellows type air reservoir which is pumped up by a compressor or air pump, this is kept at a constant pressure via a specially designed release valve. When a specific key on the organ's keyboard is pressed air is forced through finely tuned wooden pipes to produce the required note. The organ is reputed to be one of the finest in Wales. MCW were called in due to an intermittent issue with the existing motor/contactor arrangement on the organ compressor. The issue was being caused by high inrush current from the single phase supply when the DOL contactor was pulled in. The fuse protecting the motor circuit would blow intermittently rendering the organ useless. This was a particular problem as it tended to happen in the middle of a chapel service. The organ compressor was being driven by a special twin capacitor single phase motor which was started by a single phase direct on line contactor. The contactor was pulled in via a control station situated next to the organist's seat.
As the existing motor and DOL starter needed to be replace to produce the required soft start to limit the inrush current MCW took the decision to install a standard TECA 1.5kW 3 phase AC motor and control it off an inverter.
The 1.5kW, single phase in, 3 phase out E2 inverter was ideal for this job giving soft start, soft stop and limiting the inrush current. The E2 inverter being single phase in and three phase out allowed a standard three phase motor to be used on the existing single phase supply. The E2 inverter was housed in a vented, powder coated enclosure with suitable protection. Control was from the existing control station.  The main advantages seen by the client are, - Reduced inrush current - stopping fuse blowing.
- Soft start and soft stop - Reduced background mechanical noise when starting and stopping the organ during a service. Reduced mechanical stress on organ compressor.
- Standard 3 phase motor used, more reliable than a twin capacitor single phase motor with a centrifugal switch. More readily available.
- Energy saving aspect. Allowed speed to be reduced from 50Hz to 42Hz, 16% without any lack of performance.
- Speed reduction also reduced background mechanical noise of organ, important during a service.
The customer was very satisfied with the results of the upgrade and commented so. Are you looking for a complete turnkey solution, or help with your application? If so please do not hesitate to get intouch. | 
