Electrical Requirements for a 4HP spindle

[zeke]

I just ordered a Bot. Technical Support was unable to answer my question in terms of the receptacle and pigtail for the spindle. Where I need help is I currently have a 50AMP circuit that I want to use with the 4HP spindle. I've enclosed a picture of the breaker, the receptacle and the power plug.

1) Can I use this breaker circuit with the spindle?
Specs: 50 amp 10KA 120/240V SquareD

2) Can I use the same receptacle shown in the picture?
Specs: PS 10-50R 50A 125/250V

3) Can I use the same pigtail (type) shown in the picture?
Carol 6/3 Type SOOW 90C P-7K-123033 MSHA 600V Made in the US

Best Regards,
Rick

[thewoodcrafter]

Zeke,
Your spindle will not be wired to the wall.
It wires to the VFD (controller for spindle).
The VFD wires, no plug, to power, hard wired.
Did you order a single phase spindle?
No receptacle or pig tails involved here.

[thewoodcrafter]

I forgot to mention.
The wire run between the spindle and the VFD is special wire and will come with the Bot.


P.S. All your pictures did no come through.

[zeke]

I ordered a single phase. Does the VFD have to be hard wired? If I could use a pigtail, it would save me some money.

[Gary Campbell]

Zeke..
You dont say if you have an alpha or standard coming. I am not sure what the standard comes with, but the alpha has a 3 pole contactor inside that the 10-3 from the VFD connects to. You must provide a 10-3 SOSJ cord to the hot side of the contactor. This requires a 240V 30A circuit. You will also have to provide another 10-3 (10-2 w/gnd)SOSJ cord to power the alpha control box. This requires a 120V 30A circuit. Again, this is for an Alpha
Gary

[thewoodcrafter]

Sure you can pig tail it if since you have the parts.
Hard wire pretty cheap and fast.
I don't know the AMP draw of a 4HP VFD but will not be over 50.

[zeke]

It is a standard. The reason it would save me money is that I already have a machine using a 50AMP breaker and it has a receptacle. If I could use a pigtail I could use the same circuit for both of my machines that would not run at the same time. It would only be the cost of the pigtail.

Regards,
Rick

[Gary Campbell]

Rick...
There is no doubt that this will work. You may want to install a circuit breaker of the proper rating for the tool so that it will be properly protected.

I cant see an advantage of saving $100 to provide proper protection for a tool that costs thousands.
Gary

[frank134]

Rich Gary is right. I am a reg electrican. It doesn't matter if you hard wire it or plug it in. the most important thing is to have it proper protection. I have a alpha with a 4hp spindle. It wire thru VFD to the shopbot contactor then to a 30 amp breaker. I use #10 wire it good for 35 amp .

frank

[zeke]

I also have a 30amp breaker I could use and sounds like I need to based on your feedback. I would prefer to use a pigtail unless there is a serious reason why I shouldn't. Like with my other equipment I unplug everything when I'm done. I live in Florida and we have allot of thunderstorms with lightning strikes everywhere and I want to minimize this liability while not in operation. Myself and others I know have lost electronics due to lightning strikes.