BOB\Driver crashing? on CNC Plasma table.

[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%. :)

[JAZZCNC]

"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%. :)

Erm yes you are being picky and on reading again I Do and Don't agree.!! If you read it like this like it was meant.

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.

Then it's clear I meaning to be only used for signal wires which Cat5 can safely be used out side the machine as often Limits, homes and e-stop are often fixed so don't move.!. . . YES you could get more picky and say some travel but come on how far do you go wiping folks arse's they have to employ some common sense.?

I will thou agree that I should have clarified about not using on cables moving or said use CY for moving cables. SO SORRY FOLKS LET ME CLARIFY
!!! DONT USE CAT5 FOR MOVING CABLES !!!!! ALWAYS USE CY CABLE !!!