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.

[zeke]

Would there be any benefit placing small rubber pads under the feet of the Bot or just let it rest on concrete?

Rick

[zeke]

Does anyone have a link to a 90A branch circuit protection breaker that they can provide me for my 4HP single phase spindle? I can purchase online, that is fine with me.

Regards,
Rick

[gundog]

If you run the 50 amp breaker to feed your SB the wire needs to be #8 str CU otherwise the wire will melt in half and the breaker will not trip. Breakers protect the wire to small size wire and the breaker will not trip before the wire melts and catches fire. Like was said above you are better off to size the service for the job. It does not hurt to go big on the wire but not small on the wire and big on the breaker.

Mike