Connecting 2.2kw vfd to Mains supply

[the great waldo]

Hi Clive

Thanks for the note. In the instruction manual the recommended wire gauge is 5.3mm² with 30 amp fuses, seems a bit heavy if you ask me. If anyone has any ideas i'm all ears.
Cheers

Andrew

Andrew First welcome to the forum.

Re your VFD 2.2Kw at 220V is about 10A at full load which you will hardly ever use the majority of people on here I suggest will be using a standard 13A plug and if it is a short run from the vfd to the socket then 1.5mm cable will be fine.

[Doddy]

Of course, for Austria you're talking the 16A Schuko plug and, I think, the circuit is protected at the distribution unit rather than at the plug. But, to the OP, you should be able to plug into a 16A circuit without worry. 1.5mm2 is a little close to the maximum supply current - you'd be better to use 2.5mm.

[the great waldo]

Hi Doddy

I checked the amp rating on the side of the VFD and it's rated at 200-240volts 1Ph 24.0/22/.0 Amps So i've a feeling i'm going to have to have it wired into the distribution box directly. Looks like Hitachi build their VFD's with plenty of power. On the output side it's 0.1-580Hz 200-240 volts 3Ph 12.0/11.0 amps so the whole thing seems to be conservatively rated rated. I'll be using it with a 2.2kw chinese spindle which I got from ebay and pleased to say it has no runout on the spindle, not sure about the chuck though.

Cheers

Andrew

Of course, for Austria you're talking the 16A Schuko plug and, I think, the circuit is protected at the distribution unit rather than at the plug. But, to the OP, you should be able to plug into a 16A circuit without worry. 1.5mm2 is a little close to the maximum supply current - you'd be better to use 2.5mm.

[JAZZCNC]

Andrew it will be fine on standard plug. This is done all the time without problems.

Clive is also correct that 1.5mm2 is fine for the connection between VFD and Spindle. 2.5mm2 should be used from mains to VFD but to the spindle you are better with 1.5mm2 because it's easier to fit into the spindle connection socket and because the spindle is only rated 8A then 1.5mm2 is more than enough.
In use while cutting you'll rarely if ever pull the full 8A.
I don't set my VFD to Display RPM just Amps so I can monitor for cutter wear so I'm very aware of the current they pull. For instance milling aluminium 4mm DOC full slot engagement with 8mm 3 flute cutter running 1000mm/min I only pull around 3A when cutter is new. Max is 5A when cutter is so worn it's crying stop.!!
Only when you jam up or Bog down will you get close or exceed 8A in which case the VFD should be set to Fault if above set amount for any period of time.

[the great waldo]

Hi Jazz
Thanks for the reassurance. I'll give it a crack with a normal plug and some heavy wire. I'm a bit nervous about the 22 amp rating on the inverter case. I'd be grateful if any forumites that have used this vfd Hitachi wj200-022sf with a normal plug on it can chirp in with their opinions. I'm going to be using the spindle for wood routing and I know from experience that sharp cutters and and a powerful motor and not to deep cuts leads to a good finish and less stress on the machine and my nerves. I'd like to thank everyone here for their help as this is my first interaction with this forum, and look forward to further posts and replies.
Thank you all.

Cheers

Andrew

[Boyan Silyavski]

I don't set my VFD to Display RPM just Amps so I can monitor for cutter wear so I'm very aware of the current they pull. For instance milling aluminium 4mm DOC full slot engagement with 8mm 3 flute cutter running 1000mm/min I only pull around 3A when cutter is new. Max is 5A when cutter is so worn it's crying stop.!!
Only when you jam up or Bog down will you get close or exceed 8A in which case the VFD should be set to Fault if above set amount for any period of time.

Thats interesting. Thanks for sharing. Great info. Does it work with 6mm 2 flute cutter also? Or its to small to see well difference?

[JAZZCNC]

Thats interesting. Thanks for sharing. Great info. Does it work with 6mm 2 flute cutter also? Or its to small to see well difference?

Yes works just same with 6mm.
Edit: The Chinese VFD's can be a little slow to re-act but do show difference. Better drives like my ABB monitor it so precise I can tell when it hits hard or soft spots pretty much instantly. It's saved my skin a few times being able to compensate for any changes.

Andrew I haven't personally used the Hitachi but I built a machine for some one who uses the same VFD with same spindle and it's perfectly fine. Infact the whole machine including VFD runs from 13A socket run down to shed via electrical extension cord. This was 5yrs ago and still hasn't burnt the shed down so can safely say it's ok.!!

Also My ABB 2.2Kw VFD is rated 25A and still it's fine run from 13A. I fit lots of these 2.2Kw Spindle VFD setups and I haven't had one that taxs 13A so sleep safe.!

[the great waldo]

Hi Jazzcnc

Thanks very much for the heads up. I've got some O'Reillymen in at the the moment doing some work and they said they could wire in a stronger breaker if need be. The mounting point would be right next to the distribution board so the cable would'nt be more than half a metre. I was just surprised that in the mounting instructions Hitachi recommend 5.3mm² which seems mega thick even for 20 amps here's a link to the manual. http://www.hitachiacdrive.com/wp-con...05/NT3251X.pdf

(my one is the wj200-022sf) thanks for your help again.

Cheers

Andrew