BOB\Driver crashing? on CNC Plasma table.

[gr8fun]

One more thing to note is that you shouldn't confuse DC Negative with AC Earth. All DC Negatives should be taken to the DC supply Negative and not to mains EARTH.

Thank guys.
Grounding rod, clamp, cable and connector are ordered. Looking into shielded wires now...

WRT the quote above JAZZCNC, I must admit, the thought had crossed my mind... but fortunately, I had taken it no further - so thank you for assuming I was a real noobie - you hit the nail on right on the head! ;-)

ATB
Danny

[JAZZCNC]

Thank guys.
Grounding rod, clamp, cable and connector are ordered. Looking into shielded wires now...

You should not have to do this and I'm not sure it's a good idea even, given lightening strikes etc, in regards insurance and safety.
Unless your mains has No Earth, which I doubt, then I'd just go with making a better job of the shielding etc.

Regards the DC Negative AC Earth comment then wasn't meaning or thinking your a Numpty but rather it's a very common misunderstanding and cause of confussion for folks not electricly minded.!

[gr8fun]

Hi JAZZCNC

I think I should be doing something, even if it s to earth all the bits (table, water bath, garage doors etc.) to the same star earthing point as currently nothing is earthed unless it is plugged in (and I'd hazard a guess some of my kit does not have earth connected! - I inherited much of it from my grandfather)
So I plan to link it all up and connect it to the mains earth (the rod arrived, but I've not decided on a location for it yet - if i can use the mains earth that will save me a job.)

Moving on to the shielded cable, I've just got my head around mains wiring, but signal cables are a totally different ball game I'm sure.
What should I be looking for? I need 4 core shielded, but how "big" or "small"? Is bigger better or detrimental?

I'll be taking the opportunity to relocate the PC and drivers etc. further away from the table so this is all a good thing :-)
Thanks for your help everyone.

Dan

[JAZZCNC]

What should I be looking for? I need 4 core shielded, but how "big" or "small"? Is bigger better or detrimental?

1.5mm/2 for steppers and for signals to drives, limits etc then 0.75 or0.5mm/2 will be enough. You could also use shielded Cat5 cable which as 8 wires in twisted pairs which is good to use in the control box to cut down on wire runs.

I'll be taking the opportunity to relocate the PC and drivers etc. further away from the table so this is all a good thing :-)

Don't go crazy on the length keep it to the minimum you need.! . . . Long wires mean longer more receptive/conductive antenna.!!

[gr8fun]

Don't go crazy on the length keep it to the minimum you need.! . . . Long wires mean longer more receptive/conductive antenna.!!

I was planning on relocating the control box and PC next to the table rather than under it. so perhaps a couple of meters difference..
Thanks for you guidance, much appreciated.

Dan

[irving2008]

1.5mm/2 for steppers and for signals to drives, limits etc then 0.75 or0.5mm/2 will be enough. You could also use shielded Cat5 cable which as 8 wires in twisted pairs which is good to use in the control box to cut down on wire runs.

Use CY cable. Never use CAT5 cable for anything that moves regularly unless it's flexible patch cable. Normal CAT5 cable will work harden and fracture.

[JAZZCNC]

Use CY cable. Never use CAT5 cable for anything that moves regularly unless it's flexible patch cable. Normal CAT5 cable will work harden and fracture.

Irving if you read again you'll see I say use Cat5 in the control box and 1.5mm/2 and 0.75mm/2 for steppers, limits etc he knows he needs shielded so that didn't need saying.

[irving2008]

Irving if you read again you'll see I say use Cat5 in the control box and 1.5mm/2 and 0.75mm/2 for steppers, limits etc he knows he needs shielded so that didn't need saying.

Hi Dean, sorry to be picky cos I know what you meant but I think if you read what you wrote again its somewhat ambiguous IMHO to others who may be less knowledgeable.

1.5mm/2 for steppers and for signals to drives, limits etc then 0.75 or0.5mm/2 will be enough. You could also use shielded Cat5 cable which as 8 wires in twisted pairs which is good to use in the control box to cut down on wire runs

"You could also..." implies an alternative to the previous statement. If you'd said " In the control box you could also...." or " which is good to use but only in the control box" then I'd agree with you 100%. :)