Thread: VFD for 3 Phase Mini 30

Originally Posted by gorriss

Dave told me the inverter (240 single phase - 415V three phase 3hp) is rated at 20 amps and should have a 20 amp circuit breaker. I currently only have a 10 amp mixed circuit (lights & power on one breaker) to my shed. I plan to upgrade the main line coming into the shed and put a sub board in the shed. I will have in the shed:

1. The 10 amp mixed circuit
2. The 20 amp inverter
3. Possibly another 15 amp power point would be wise while I am at it.

The 20 amp and 15 amp circuits would be concurrent (ie only used separately) so I guess I need to allow for 30 amps coming in.

What about dust extraction? - either now or allow for it later. I would allow 15A for this and go for the bigger wiring.

My shed has separate 20A and 35A lines running to it. The DC runs on the 20A line and the machines on the the 35A line

Originally Posted by BobL

What about dust extraction? - either now or allow for it later. I would allow 15A for this and go for the bigger wiring.

My shed has separate 20A and 35A lines running to it. The DC runs on the 20A line and the machines on the the 35A line

Getting Carbatec 2hp dust extractor most likely. On special right now for $269. Only needs 10amp circuit. Should do me, so I thought that will run on exisiting mixed circuit.
PS Thanks for the manual, was that from Drives Direct or another model?
Graham

You need 6 core wire for that remote(well you maybe able to get by with only 5 as I doubt you'll need reverse???) I use Cat 5 cable for most of my controls but thats only twisted pairs, not shielded. If its all in one conduit the book says it should be shielded cable.

The manual is from Teco, a later version of the one that came with my VSD

Stuart

I have received my 240-415volt 3hp VFD from Drives Direct, but haven't set it up yet. I have a couple of questions which I emailed to Dave at Drives Direct, but I haven't had a reply to any of my previous emails to date, so I thought it might be better to ask here.

I notice on his wiring diagram (from the web site) he shows a three phase 415V motor STAR WIRED. My motors are Delta wired for 440 volts. Is that a problem? In my case Star wiring requires 760 volts according to the plates on the motors (from memory - something close to that voltage anyway)

The other question. I got a Rev/Off/Fwd plus Speed remote switch. I see how that is wired up. Can an emergency Off switched be wired up as well? (I presume that would require that OFF means a voltage is applied to the pin in question, while ON is no voltage - if it was the other way around it wouldn't work?)

Cheers
Graham

Hi Graham,
Your case is a little different to most so yes you'll be running in Delta.

Do you have a Rev/off/Fwd switch? (I just looked at your link and it has a picture of both it and the on/off version, but the listing is for the on/off)


Re E/stop, I dont really like the way the Teco handles E/stop, for starts you have to make a circuit for it to work. But short of adding some extra controls you might have to put up with it.

If the VSD is running and F_19=3 and you connect terminal 12V to SP1 E/stop is activated(you could also set F_20=3 and use 12V to SP2). Once activated the VSD must stop, you then need to remove the E/stop signal and cycle the ON/Off switch to be able to restart.

The manual say the same thing once you decode it

F_19, F_20 =3: External emergency stop

When the external emergency stop signal is activated, the inverter proceeds to decelerate andstop, (ignoring the setting of F_14). The inverters E.S. light will flash after stopping. After theemergency stop signal is deactivated, turn the RUN switch OFF and then ON again to cycle it.(F_10 =1) Or, push the RUN key (F_10=0). The inverter will then resume operation and restart. Ifthe emergency stop signal is removed before the inverter stops, the inverter will still execute the

emergency stop.

Stuart

Thanks Stuart
Obviously I should have read a bit further in the manual and I would have seen that about the E/Stop. Waiting on my sparky to get a bit more juice in the shed. Will let you know how we go once it's sorted.
Graham

First time through many parts of the manual didnt make much sense to me.(in fact some of the settings are still a mystery)

Just watch for typos in the manual, even the Taco manual has a few. So where possible try and find the same info in two places.

Stuart

Ive got the sparky dropping off some wire and bits and pieces so I can do all the running of cables etc before he comes to hook up a beefier line to my shed. Can I connect the VFD to 240 input without a load attached so I can configure the VFD and not waste time (read money!) when he comes to hook up? I know it's not strictly legal, but do I know the basics of electrics and will just need to connect the 3 wires on the input side. I presume 2.5mm cable is fine without a load since the current draw will be minimal?
Graham

Short answer NO.

Longer answer Yes but only if you don't turn the output of the VSD on.
What will happen if you turn the output on with nothing connected is a matter of conjecture some say the VSD is more than able to look after itself and will error and shut down, others say you will let the smoke out.
I wouldnt want to find out on a $500 VSD.

As I understand it, nothing illegal about connecting it yourself if you use a three pin plug.(assuming this is in your domestic shed).

If I recall correctly my Teco ran ok straight out of the box.
Though you might want to make a list of what you think the parameters should be so you can flip through them quickly once you have it wired up.

One thing to remember if you choose to use "controlled deceleration stop" you can't switch from one motor to the other until the VSD has finished braking.

Stuart

Thanks Stuart

I realised that I could not press Run without risking damage. Probably safer if I just write out all my parameters, and do a quick check before I test it.
Graham

Looking at the input wiring for my VFD. The manual shows pictures of different looking units to mine that have a nice input setup with a small tube coming out the bottom of VFD with a nut on. I hope that makes sense, it basically allows a double insulated cable to go into the VFD where the individual wires are then hidden inside. On my unit there are connections (L1 and L3) where the live and neutral wires are connected straight to the outside of the VFD. That looks a little dodgy to me with the single insulated wires exposed?

I seem to recall seeing pictures of your setup (Stuart) but I can't find them. Any chance of a link please? Any other ideas how to do this?

Also the manual talks about a SW1 switch that changes the external signal type. I don't seem to have that switch on mine (or I can't find it). I will contact Dave, but won't hear until Tuesday due to the time difference I presume.

Cheers
Graham

Hi Graham,

They are all here
https://www.woodworkforums.com/f65/vsd-enclosure-129337/

Yes I believe these VSD's should be mounted in an enclosure.(if your manual has the same page numbers your box is on page 18-21)

I cant recall SW1, its likely on the PCB under the removable cover(I cant check as that cover doesnt seem to want to come off without removing all my control wiring).
You shouldnt need to change it anyway.

Stuart

With a little gentle persuasion I got the cover off.

It seems a bit strange to me. The enclosure helps, but obviously you still need to access the VFD directly to program it. Do you know if it is legal to wire it up as is? I guess my sparky will soon tell me, but I want to have everything ready to go before he comes if possible.

I just re-read my Quick Start Guide. It says SW1 should be down (default) for potentiometer connection. My remote switch has the speed control, so I guess I don't need to touch it?

PS Thanks for the link/pics Stu

Graham