I recently picked up a Faema E87-S87 3-group espresso machine, production date 05/91, for practically nothing.

The machine came out of a high-volume café that closed down and, from what I’ve been told, it was consistently maintained throughout its working life. Mechanically, it appears to be a very solid machine, and my plan is to restore it cosmetically as well. I’m an old car painter, so I’m actually looking forward to giving the exterior a proper restoration while keeping the original character of the machine.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking: this is an absolutely ridiculous amount of espresso machine for a residential second kitchen. 😂

That’s kind of the point.

The machine is going into a second kitchen at my home, and I already have 220V available. I also have four electrician friends who are willing to help with the installation. Before we start changing anything, however, I want to make sure we choose the safest and most technically appropriate approach.

The electrical question

The machine is configured for three-phase power and has six wires, including a neutral.

From what I’ve been able to determine, I see a few possible approaches:

1. Digital/solid-state phase converter

Something from a manufacturer such as VEVOR or a similar company.

These are relatively inexpensive and appear to be an easy solution, but I’m seeing very mixed reviews. A lot of the negative experiences seem to involve things like industrial saws, fans, pumps, and other motor loads.

I’m particularly interested in whether anyone has actually run a commercial espresso machine/boiler system from one of these converters long-term.

2. Rotary phase converter

This seems like the more traditional approach and potentially the more robust option, but the cost and complexity are considerably higher for a residential installation.

3. Reconfigure the machine for single-phase

This is the option I’m most hesitant about.

There doesn’t appear to be a readily available wiring diagram for my exact machine/configuration, and I don’t want to start moving jumpers or modifying the internal wiring without knowing exactly how the heating elements, pumps, motors, controls, and other components are configured.

What I’m really looking for

I’m not necessarily looking for someone to tell me which option to buy.

I’d really like to hear from people who have actually worked on older commercial Faema machines and understand both the electrical and mechanical sides of these systems.

In particular:

• Has anyone here worked on a Faema E87-S87 from around 1991?
• Does anyone have documentation, schematics, or experience with the electrical configuration of this machine?
• Has anyone successfully run a machine like this from a digital phase converter?
• What problems, if any, did you experience?
• Are the inexpensive digital converters actually appropriate for a load like this?
• Are the concerns mostly related to the motors, or are there other issues with the boiler/heating elements and control circuitry?
• Would a rotary converter be substantially safer/more appropriate?
• Is converting the machine itself to single-phase a realistic option, assuming the heating elements and motors can be appropriately configured?
• Are there particular things I should be measuring or identifying inside the machine before deciding how to power it?

Most importantly, I’m looking for first-hand experience rather than guesses.

I realize there are plenty of people who will say “just get a phase converter” or “just rewire it,” but with a machine this old, I’d rather understand exactly what I’m dealing with before modifying anything.

I’m not trying to turn this into a DIY electrical experiment. The final installation will be done with qualified electrical help and appropriate protection. I just want to make an informed decision about which electrical architecture makes the most sense for this particular machine before we start.

If anyone has worked with one of these old Faemas, especially someone who has the electrical/mechanical knowledge to explain what is actually happening inside the machine, I’d really appreciate your input.

And if you happen to have an original wiring diagram or service documentation for the 05/91 E87-S87, that would be incredibly helpful.

Thanks!