Help with VFD selection...recommendations welcomed

[macardoso]

I use VFD's quite a lot. Size the VFD right to the size of the motor. Unless the VFD is crap, it will put put the power it is rated for no problem.

The brand of VFD you have looks decent, but make sure you can find instructions on how to set it up (enter the motor parameters).

Another place to look is at Automation Direct's GS2 line of VFD's. A bit more expensive that you found, but they are also a legit US based company.

https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ts_(115_-z-_230_-z-_460_-z-_575_VAC)/GS2-23P0



Edit: The VFD will typically be looking for a start stop switch wired into it using 24V logic voltage. Don't ever disconnect the VFD outputs from the motor under power (a 3 phase switch) or you can damage the IGBT's on the inverter from a high dV/dt spike.

 

[Briney Eye]

Sorry- post wasn't clear.
Both motors are 3phase

I've got Teco/Westinghouse and Fuji VFD's for smaller motors running from 115VAC. Happy with both of them; the Teco seems to have more programming "options", which wouldn't matter for your machines. I wanted the speed control knob on the VFD, but you don't need that either. The 3HP Teco L510 is more compact than the Fuji FRENIC, which you might care about.

I've had good experiences with Wolf Automation, and they carry just about everything available.

 

[troutdreams]

Thanks for the tip on the Teco L510 and Fuji FRENIC; they're both about $227 apiece at Wolf. That's not much more than the Huanyang model the rep suggested. It also doesn't hurt that "Westinghouse" and "Fuji" are more familiar names to me.

 

[pacifica]

Thanks for the tip on the Teco L510 and Fuji FRENIC; they're both about $227 apiece at Wolf. That's not much more than the Huanyang model the rep suggested. It also doesn't hurt that "Westinghouse" and "Fuji" are more familiar names to me.

seems like wolf automation gives decent support, something valuable for a vfd install.

 

[troutdreams]

seems like wolf automation gives decent support, something valuable for a vfd install.

...and that’s a VFD feature I’d be inclined to pay for

 

[hman]

Maybe a bit redundant here, but possibly helpful. A VFD typically has both high voltage (line power in, motor power out) terminals and low voltage terminals. The low voltage (often 24V or so) terminals are used for start/stop and directional controls, as well as inputs for a speed control potentiometer. As others have said, the motor power should be hardwired directly to the motor, with no switches, etc.

If you do want to use existing controls (like a paddle switch), first remove ALL 110 or 220 volt wiring, then wire it into the low voltage system. Speed can be set with front panel controls on the VFD (up/down arrow buttons on the Teco) if you don't want to add an external pot. You can also use front panel buttons for on/off and direction if desired. I've always put the VFD in an enclosure protected from swarf and used low voltage multi-conductor cable to go to an external control panel. There are lots of options.

 

[troutdreams]

Maybe a bit redundant here, but possibly helpful. A VFD typically has both high voltage (line power in, motor power out) terminals and low voltage terminals. The low voltage (often 24V or so) terminals are used for start/stop and directional controls, as well as inputs for a speed control potentiometer. As others have said, the motor power should be hardwired directly to the motor, with no switches, etc.

If you do want to use existing controls (like a paddle switch), first remove ALL 110 or 220 volt wiring, then wire it into the low voltage system. Speed can be set with front panel controls on the VFD (up/down arrow buttons on the Teco) if you don't want to add an external pot. You can also use front panel buttons for on/off and direction if desired. I've always put the VFD in an enclosure protected from swarf and used low voltage multi-conductor cable to go to an external control panel. There are lots of options.

Maybe a bit redundant here, but possibly helpful. A VFD typically has both high voltage (line power in, motor power out) terminals and low voltage terminals. The low voltage (often 24V or so) terminals are used for start/stop and directional controls, as well as inputs for a speed control potentiometer. As others have said, the motor power should be hardwired directly to the motor, with no switches, etc.

If you do want to use existing controls (like a paddle switch), first remove ALL 110 or 220 volt wiring, then wire it into the low voltage system. Speed can be set with front panel controls on the VFD (up/down arrow buttons on the Teco) if you don't want to add an external pot. You can also use front panel buttons for on/off and direction if desired. I've always put the VFD in an enclosure protected from swarf and used low voltage multi-conductor cable to go to an external control panel. There are lots of options.

Yes, I’ve seen the high and low voltage terminals and the wiring seems to make sense to me. Thinking that I couldn’t use high voltage switches with the low voltage VFD terminals was my error.
I’ll just wire up the saws existing on/off to the low voltage terminals on the vfd.

 

[troutdreams]

Thanks to all for the information.
I ordered 2 of the Teco-Westinghouse L510 from Wolf Automation and also tossed a 30 amp safety disconnect switch into the cart as well, thinking I'd feel better having it when changing those table saw blades. May try mounting that at the entry way to the shop so I can just power down all the 220 finger-eaters, keeping the kids safer when I'm not in the shop.