Advice for Setting up VFD wiring.

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Randydb

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Sep 27, 2014
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I have been procrastinating. Built a grinder last summer, but haven't got 220 wired into the garage to start it up. Have my vfd and motor. Actually a few motors. I want to set up my VFD with an outlet and then be able to run my 2x72 grinder and lathe off the one vfd. Possibly run my bandsaw on it one day too. But off the top I want the lathe and grinder.

I have done tons of reading of threads here and realize I can do it a number of ways, but I want to keep it simple and just use an outlet that I can plug the desired machine into.

My daughter started dating an 3rd year apprentice electrician recently so I told him he was going to be wiring 220v into my garage. I told him it's the cost of dating my daughter and eating my food. Also asked him if he could frame and repair fences as those jobs are on the list for the summer. He says he's willing to learn if it means he won't be replaced by a carpenter.

A question, he wants to know what type of outlet I want. My vfd is 1ph 200-240v 50/60Hz 20amp input and 3ph 0-240v 0-200Hz 3hp 10.5amp output.
So is there a particular circuit amperage and outlet I should be asking for?
Like I realize that ranges are often 50 amp circuits and they have a particular outlet. And my dryer is 30amp and has a different outlet.

Thanks
Randy
 
Hello I am an electrician from Canada. There isn't too much difference in our electrical theory.

What you need for the vfd is a 20amp single phase 250 volt recepticial. The only thing you need to check and make sure is if the vfd has a nuetral (which it probably does) then you need to make sure you bring a neutral to the vfd and get a plug that corresponds. So then the plug would be a 120/250volt single phase 20amp. Another option would be just to hardwire the vfd making sure it is on a 20amp breaker right from you panel.

And for your output (load) side of the vfd. From my understanding your lathe and grinder are three phase. And I'm sure they are both maximum 15amps. So what you would need is a 15 amp 3 phase 250 volt recepticial. Or if your machines need neutrals which they may then you will need a 120/250volt 3phase 15amp plug. Which both will probably be a twist lock type. And then you would have to make the plug on your lathe and grinder the same configuration.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
 
Josh Reed said:
Hello I am an electrician from Canada. There isn't too much difference in our electrical theory.

What you need for the vfd is a 20amp single phase 250 volt recepticial. The only thing you need to check and make sure is if the vfd has a nuetral (which it probably does) then you need to make sure you bring a neutral to the vfd and get a plug that corresponds. So then the plug would be a 120/250volt single phase 20amp. Another option would be just to hardwire the vfd making sure it is on a 20amp breaker right from you panel.

And for your output (load) side of the vfd. From my understanding your lathe and grinder are three phase. And I'm sure they are both maximum 15amps. So what you would need is a 15 amp 3 phase 250 volt recepticial. Or if your machines need neutrals which they may then you will need a 120/250volt 3phase 15amp plug. Which both will probably be a twist lock type. And then you would have to make the plug on your lathe and grinder the same configuration.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Click to expand...
I'm from Canada too Josh...westcoast near Vancouver.

Yes, I want to hardwire the vfd into the panel. Then put an outlet off the vfd.

So basically i should be able to show him my motors and vfd and tell him what I want here and he will figure out the right outlet and plug for me.

Randy
 
Not sure in Canada, I'm about to do the same thing. I just bought a 250V 30A twistlock plug and receptacle from Lowes this weekend. I only have the one grinder right now that I'm going to run on it, but planning on having a disk grinder and another grinder down the road. Just waiting on the VFD to come in the mail to start wiring everything up.
 
Josh Reed said:
What you need for the vfd is a 20amp single phase 250 volt receptacle. The only thing you need to check and make sure is if the vfd has a nuetral (which it probably does) then you need to make sure you bring a neutral to the vfd and get a plug that corresponds. So then the plug would be a 120/250volt single phase 20amp.


.
Click to expand...

No neutrals, two hots and a ground on the input to the VFD
Good quality VFD's have good quality manuals
http://www.kbelectronics.com/manuals/kbac.pdf
48.gif



Output, three hots and a ground, twist locks make sense.
 
That chart should help you, but if you are still at a loss:

220VAC outlet from fuse box - NEMA 6 -20 socket properly wired and mounted in the wall above the workbench near where the VFD will be installed.
220VAC 1Ph plug from outlet to VFD input - NEMA 6-20 male. Mounted on a 36" pigtail wire.
Socket from VFD 3 phase output - NEMA L6-15 socket in a surface mounted outlet box. It can be directly under or next to the VFD or placed over the center of bench .
Plug from any equipment that will run off the VFD - NEMA L6-15 male
Wire from all devices - Rubber coated 12/3 with ground
Label the socket over bench "3Phase".
 
I use Harting industrial connections currently. BUT for what you are trying to do: because of the way my shop is arranged, I have the long cord attached to the VFD and short one on the motor. saves a little in wire.
for power in use L6-20 plugs and receptacles. this is for your 220vac single phase.
from VFD to motor use L14-20 or L15-20, just be sure the plugs and receptacles are the same number. L14 won't work with L15
try eBay first for these, usually a lot cheaper than big box hardware for same item. Stick with a known name like Hubbell, Bryant, Cooper
 
Thanks all, I will print show this to the boy and get him going after the long weekend. I showed him the VFD last night and he took a look and said he knew what to do. Told me a few things about enclosures and talked like he knew...I know nothing about wiring so bluffing me would be easy.

Maybe I will get him to draw me up a plan and check it out here :) Poor boy didn't know what he was getting when he started dating my daughter.
 
scott.livesey said:
i recommend that you have him use 20 amp plug/receptacles for all connections. shop before you buy. I have seen 50 foot 12 gauge extension cords cheaper than 50 feet of 12 gauge 3 conductor wire. this would be ideal to run from VFD to motor http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAROL-12-4-...706864?hash=item1c82b0c3f0:g:ogEAAOSwB-1YzcNm
Click to expand...
Yes, I have run into this in the past. I was setting up my parents solar panel and batteries at their cabin. Solar panel company wanted $100/cable for a couple 12 footers to run from the batteries to the inverter. I picked up a couple car battery terminal cables for $24 each.

Thanks for the reminder.
Randy
 
Randydb said:
I have been procrastinating. Built a grinder last summer, but haven't got 220 wired into the garage to start it up. Have my vfd and motor. Actually a few motors. I want to set up my VFD with an outlet and then be able to run my 2x72 grinder and lathe off the one vfd. Possibly run my bandsaw on it one day too. But off the top I want the lathe and grinder.

I have done tons of reading of threads here and realize I can do it a number of ways, but I want to keep it simple and just use an outlet that I can plug the desired machine into.

My daughter started dating an 3rd year apprentice electrician recently so I told him he was going to be wiring 220v into my garage. I told him it's the cost of dating my daughter and eating my food. Also asked him if he could frame and repair fences as those jobs are on the list for the summer. He says he's willing to learn if it means he won't be replaced by a carpenter.

A question, he wants to know what type of outlet I want. My vfd is 1ph 200-240v 50/60Hz 20amp input and 3ph 0-240v 0-200Hz 3hp 10.5amp output.
So is there a particular circuit amperage and outlet I should be asking for?
Like I realize that ranges are often 50 amp circuits and they have a particular outlet. And my dryer is 30amp and has a different outlet.

Thanks
Randy
Click to expand...
Knarls said:
Hello I am an electrician from Canada. There isn't too much difference in our electrical theory.

What you need for the vfd is a 20amp single phase 250 volt recepticial. The only thing you need to check and make sure is if the vfd has a nuetral (which it probably does) then you need to make sure you bring a neutral to the vfd and get a plug that corresponds. So then the plug would be a 120/250volt single phase 20amp. Another option would be just to hardwire the vfd making sure it is on a 20amp breaker right from you panel.

And for your output (load) side of the vfd. From my understanding your lathe and grinder are three phase. And I'm sure they are both maximum 15amps. So what you would need is a 15 amp 3 phase 250 volt recepticial. Or if your machines need neutrals which they may then you will need a 120/250volt 3phase 15amp plug. Which both will probably be a twist lock type. And then you would have to make the plug on your lathe and grinder the same configuration.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Click to expand...
I wonder if people are still responding to this and could answer a few questions? I'm in Guelph, ON..
I’m installing a plug in my garage for my lathe, which I will be using a VFD to control the speed.

The lathe motor is 3 phase, 1hp. VFD will convert single phase 240 power to 3 phase for me.

I was hoping you could answer 3 quick questions for me:

  1. What guage cable should I use from my box to the garage? 10 or is 12 OK?
  2. I need a 2 pole 20amp breaker right?
  3. The plug I need is just a 240V 20amp receptical right?
From my limited knowledge, the lathe motor will only draw up to about 8-9amps, so is a 20amp breaker OK?
 
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