Another VFD question. Is it worth buying a higher capacity unit?

[Richard]

My own combi machine is saw/spindle moulder - planer is separate machine - but all 240V/1P so haven't had this problem. I guess that you normally change over between motors while nothing is running, so I guess the usual kind of VFD would work.However, I don't really like the sound of it, thinking about how you would isolate the motors for blade/cutter changing/adjusting. VFD that is happy to be to have its output switched live seems like the best way to go.

If it was going to be problem to change the motor select switch while the VFD is actually powered up (motor not running), I guess I would have to make an interlock type cover over the motor select switch to enforce complete isolation of the VFD before changing motors.

If it's just a case of waiting for the motor to stop, then I don't think thats going to be a problem.

I doubt I'll be hopping from saw to spindle and back, so the machine will be set up for sawing or planing or routing and be used like that for some time.


I will ask the supplier and see what they say.


I did read somewhere that VFD's don't like contactors etc inline with the motor, but I have also read that people just wire them up to the main input of the machine and they work ok. No bypassing of contactors, etc.