Poker vibrators: diameter, capacity and frequency converter

Poker vibrators for 42 or 48 volts do not plug straight into the socket. They need a frequency converter that produces the right voltage and frequency — either as a separate box, or built into the poker.

Diameter vs capacity

Swepac's PVE series shows the relationship clearly. The thicker the poker, the greater the capacity and centrifugal force. Current draw also increases, but not consistently — the PVE 75 draws less than the PVE 65:

• PVE 38 — 38 mm, 20 m³/h, 1 500 N centrifugal force, 8 A, 12 kg
• PVE 50 — 50 mm, 30 m³/h, 3 300 N, 10.5 A, 14 kg
• PVE 58 — 58 mm, 35 m³/h, 5 600 N, 15 A, 15 kg
• PVE 65 — 65 mm, 40 m³/h, 7 000 N, 22 A, 18 kg
• PVE 75 — 75 mm, 45 m³/h, 9 000 N, 18 A, 20 kg

Wall or floor — the grip is the difference

Wall pokers have a long protective hose, usually 5 metres, so that the poker reaches down into the formwork while the operator stands above. Floor pokers have a pistol grip and a short hose — Swepac's PVE-D has 0.4 metres and a vibration-damped handle.

The difference shows in the vibration you feel in your hand: the PVE-D series measures 0.41–0.56 m/s² on the handle, while the wall pokers measure 1.4–2.7 m/s² on the hose two metres from the poker head.

External or built-in converter

With an external converter, several pokers can share one box. Swepac's PVCE 1.5 delivers 1.5 kVA and weighs 9 kg; the PVCE 2.5 delivers 2.5 kVA and weighs 10 kg — the PVCE 1.5 with two outlets and the PVCE 2.5 with three. The rotary PVC 1.6 delivers 1.6 kVA, but weighs 28–30 kg.

With a built-in converter, as in the PVEL series, the poker plugs straight into an ordinary 230 V socket. The converter box is IP 67. One poker, one cable, nothing to leave behind in the van. On the other hand, each poker has its own converter to pay for.

Frequency converters in the catalogue

• Mini 10 — one outlet, 16 A output (max. 25 A), 9.5 kg. 230 V in, 42 V / 200 Hz out
• Mini 24 — two outlets, 25 A output (max. 40 A), 24 kg. Same voltages
• Swepac PVCE 1.5 and 2.5 — two and three outlets, electronic, 42 V / 200 Hz out
• Swepac PVC 1.6 — rotary mechanical, two outlets, 23 A

If you are unsure about the diameter

Send us the reinforcement drawing or a photo of the formwork. It is the spacing between the bars that sets the limit, and it is easier to see than to describe.