Quote Originally Posted by AdieR View Post
Is the 3ph motor on your planer running on star configuration, or wired for delta?

Is there voltage at the motor on all phases? Is the motor *totally* lifeless, or does it buzz and not run?

If you are running the VFD through a magnetic contactor, the contactor should be on the primary side.

One last point: (aplologies if you know this) a motor uses more power on start-up than any other time (inrush current) to initially move the motor (once its running, the current used will settle to a steady level). Does your VFD have sufficient reserve to cope with the start current (especially if your motor is wired for delta). Does your motor / VFD need acceleration / deceleration (ramp-up / ramp down) to run the motor up to speed?
I hate to sound like a dummy (but when it comes to this stuff, I am!), but I don't know how to tell if the motor is wired for Delta or star configuration. The building it came from was very old, and I know Delta is the older configuration of 3-phase, so I'm going to guess it's wired for Delta...

The motor has a power cord with a 4-prong connector; three "hot" leads from the VFD, and a ground/neutral spliced into the breaker panel. That power cord runs into what appears to be a magnetic switch (START / STOP), as it does not "click" on, or off... The lead from there goes in to the (what I think) is a GE magnetic starter. It has a "Reset" button on the outside. I took the cover off, and pressed on the bar - the motor turned very slowly. When I let off the bar, it stopped.

I DO know motors require more power at start up; I thought that was the purpose for the "starter", to take care of that, but I have no idea what the parameters of the motor would be nor any idea how to program the VFD...

I have found a man who knows about this stuff - he does PLC's and all that kind of stuff. He said he can probably come at the end of next week. I'm very concerned about damaging the VFD or the motor, so I think we'll just have to wait for him. We need the planer, but looks like we'll just have to run stuff over the jointer till he gets here.

Thanks for all your help!!
Arden