Many a times we find it crucial and handy to possess a true three phase signal for evaluating many different electronic configurations such three phase inverters, three phase motors, converters etc.
Since it's not so easy to incorporate single phase to three phase conversion quickly we find this particular implementation difficult to acquire and enforce. The proposed circuit enables the above discussed well calculated spaced and positioned sine waves outputs to be generated from a single master input source.
Circuit Operation
The circuit functioning of the three phase waveform generator circuit may be understood with the help of the following explanation:
An input sine sample waveform is fed across the point "input" and ground of the circuit.This input signal gets inverted and buffered by the unity gain opamp A1. This inverted and buffered signal acquired at the output of A1 now becomes the new master signal for the forthcoming processing.
The above buffered master signal gets once again inverted and buffered by the next unity gain opamp A2 creating an output with zero degree initial phase across the points "Phase1"
Simultaneously, the master signal from A1 output is phase shifted by 60 degrees via the RC network R1, C1, and fed to the input of A4.
A4 is set up as a non-inverting opamp with a gain of 2 in order to make up for the signal-loss in the RC configuration.
On account of the fact that the master signal is phase shifted 180 degrees from the input signal, and further shifted to an additional 60 degrees by the RC network, the ultimate output waveform gets shifted by 240 degrees, and constitutes the "Phase3" signal.
Now, the next unity gain amp A3 sums up the A1 output (0 degrees) with A4 output (240 degrees), creating a 300 degree phase shifted signal at its pin#9, which is in turn inverted appropriately, shifting the phase to an extra 180 degrees, creating the intended 120 degree phase signal across its output indicated as "Phase2".
The circuit is intentionally wired up to work with a fixed frequency in order to yield better accuracy.
Fixed values are used for R1 and C1 for rendering the intended, accurate 60 degree phase shifts.
For specific customized frequencies, you may use the following formula:
R1 = (√3 x 10^6) / (2π x F x C)
R1 = (1.732 x 10^6) / (6.28 x F x C1)
where:
R1 is in kohms
C1 is in uf
Circuit Diagram

Parts List
All R = 10 kohms
A1---A4 = LM324
Supply = +/- 12vdc
Frequency (hz) | R1 (kohms) | C1 (nf) |
---|---|---|
1000 | 2.7 | 100 |
400 | 6.8 | 100 |
60 | 4.7 | 1000 |
50 | 5.6 | 1000 |
The above design was investigated by Mr. Abu-Hafss and appropriately corrected for obtaining legitimate responses from the circuit, the following images provide a detailed info regarding the same:
Feedback from Mr. Abu-Hafss:
I needed a 15VAC 3-phase supply to test 3-phase rectifiers. I simulated this circuit the other day but failed to get proper results. Today, I made it work.
IC A2 and resistors connected to pin 6 could be eliminated. The resistor between pin 7 and 9 could be connected between the main input and pin 9. Phase-1 output can be collected from the original AC input. Phase 2 and 3 can be collected as indicated in the circuit.
However, my actual requirement could not be fulfilled. When these 3 phases are connected to a 3-phase rectifier, the wave form of phase 2 and 3 gets disturbed. I tried with the original circuit, in that case all three phases gets disturbed
Finally got a solution! A 100nF capacitor connected in series with each phase and the rectifier solved the problem to a great extent.
Though the rectified output is not consistent but, it is quite acceptable
Update: The following image shows a much simpler alternative for generating 3 phase signals with accuracy and without complicated adjustments:
Hi swatgam, please help me with a simple three phase inverter circuit diagram, ill appreciate thank you
Hi Adon, you can get a few 3 phase inverter ideas from the following link:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/three-phase-inverter-circuit/
Dear Swatgam,
Very interesting topic which covers an issue that I have been struggling with the for the past months. I am trying to design a circuit (with minimum electronics knowledge) to create a triphase 26VAC 400 hz power supply to run an vintage aircraft gyroscope motor. I think I was able to generate a 400hz singal via arduino (sine wave and/or square wave), bu with the rest I am fully stuck. Would you be kind enogh to share a circuit desing for my project ? kindest regards okanSacli
Thank you Okan,
I think you are looking for a 26V 3 phase inverter circuit, which can be perhaps build using a 3 phase driver IC. If you are having a 3 phase signal from an Arduino then you could try applying it to the following circuit for getting a 3 phase AC output. The 600 V can be replaced with 26 V DC. The mosfets can be any suitable ones below 100 V VDS
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/3-phase-inverter-circuit.jpg
This four op-amp setup is a well known way to produce a three-phase output from a single phase and known as a phase tripler. Normally R1 is a trim-pot (to adjust for different freq). I have used lab-equipment when teaching since at least 2010 based on this setup. Note that it is important to select high-current op-amps since they can get quite warm especially if driving capacitive loads (op-amps don’t like cap load).
Thank you sharing this useful information. Appreciate it!
Sylvain,
Where is the circuit diagram?
I have a Bendix HSI that uses 26VAC 400 hrz,
I’m not sure if its 2 phase or 3 phase
but really urgently need to build this power supply
driven by 12.0 to 13.8 vdc.
Dear Swatagam,
regarding your Fig. 2, could you explain the function of the Diodes? For me it looks the result would be the same without them. Further are the other Pins of the OpAmp not used?
Thanks for your time.
Dear Sol, the diodes are necessary, and the configuration is called diode shunt feedback-clipping. I cannot fully interpret the diagram, since it was referred from some other site and it is not my design. Other pins except the supply pins are not used.
Dear Swagatam,
in Fig.2 you write U=LF411
I count in you fig. 9 pins, but the LF 411 seems to have 8?
Sorry forgot this question.
If I have a 24 VAC 3 Amp source, will it grill the circuit?
For 24V you can IC LM324 for the op amps
Dear Sol, the circuit uses 3 separate LF411 ICs, however any other op amp can be also tried such as IC 741.