- Joined
- Dec 18, 2012
- Messages
- 8
I joined earlier today and I already have a question
I got a Continental 100M bandsaw with a 2hp 3-phase motor. I am new to VFDs, 3-phase and have very little practical experience with AC circuits.
Unfortunately, with so many new things it is hard to diagnose, but this is what I know.
THE PROBLEM: When I try to start the machine from the start button on the front it makes a clicking sound like cycling a relay or trying to start a car with a very weak battery.
The hardware:
I have a Telemecanique Altivar 31 2hp 1-phase in 3-phase out VFD which I wired as shown in the picture. I only had the start-up booklet in the shop (not the CD with the pdf manual), but I got it to the point where it appears to be working. I have ~120 volts on each of the 3 output legs.
On the back of the bandsaw there is a wiring panel (picture attached) which has some kind of "switch" labeled Cutler-Hammer AE16CNSO. I can measure that all 3 wires at the distribution block (coming from the VFD) have 120 volts. When I press the little brown button (circled in red-yellow in the picture) in the middle of the "switch" the bandsaw starts and (by sound) rpm seem to be fine, but it only runs while I keep the brown button depressed (I used a screwdriver with a rubber handle to do it, didn't want to put my hand there) and stops as soon as I release it. This makes me think that the issue is with the "switch" rather than the VFD, but it is possible that I have the VFD setup to supply a wrong amount of current or wrong frequency.
I have the manual for the bandsaw, but it has a very simplified wiring diagram which does not really help me.
Any suggestions or ideas are highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Nik
I got a Continental 100M bandsaw with a 2hp 3-phase motor. I am new to VFDs, 3-phase and have very little practical experience with AC circuits.
Unfortunately, with so many new things it is hard to diagnose, but this is what I know.
THE PROBLEM: When I try to start the machine from the start button on the front it makes a clicking sound like cycling a relay or trying to start a car with a very weak battery.
The hardware:
I have a Telemecanique Altivar 31 2hp 1-phase in 3-phase out VFD which I wired as shown in the picture. I only had the start-up booklet in the shop (not the CD with the pdf manual), but I got it to the point where it appears to be working. I have ~120 volts on each of the 3 output legs.
On the back of the bandsaw there is a wiring panel (picture attached) which has some kind of "switch" labeled Cutler-Hammer AE16CNSO. I can measure that all 3 wires at the distribution block (coming from the VFD) have 120 volts. When I press the little brown button (circled in red-yellow in the picture) in the middle of the "switch" the bandsaw starts and (by sound) rpm seem to be fine, but it only runs while I keep the brown button depressed (I used a screwdriver with a rubber handle to do it, didn't want to put my hand there) and stops as soon as I release it. This makes me think that the issue is with the "switch" rather than the VFD, but it is possible that I have the VFD setup to supply a wrong amount of current or wrong frequency.
I have the manual for the bandsaw, but it has a very simplified wiring diagram which does not really help me.
Any suggestions or ideas are highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Nik