we bit the bullet

[scottp55]

A check is in the mail as I type for the desktop with spindle. It will be a tough call between the shopbot camp in Maine and setting up the nursery for the new baby 'bot. Now comes the mad dash to rearrange the shop and getting the 100 amp subpanel rewired. Worried about grounding like everybody else, what should I make sure the electrician pays special attention to? Not sure the house main panel is grounded all that well. Easy to put ground rod in as sub-panel is on exterior wall but?:o

[coryatjohn]

A check is in the mail as I type for the desktop with spindle. It will be a tough call between the shopbot camp in Maine and setting up the nursery for the new baby 'bot. Now comes the mad dash to rearrange the shop and getting the 100 amp subpanel rewired. Worried about grounding like everybody else, what should I make sure the electrician pays special attention to? Not sure the house main panel is grounded all that well. Easy to put ground rod in as sub-panel is on exterior wall but?:o

I think an investment in a dedicated grounding rod would be well worth it. Grounding problems seem to be a major cause for headaches and being sure it's not going to be a problem will at least eliminate that from the possibile issues you might have.

Every moving part on my machine has a dedicated 8 gauge wire securely attached and grounded in a single location in the electrical box. That includes dust collection and vacuum hold down. I haven't had any problems at all with my machine other than operator error.

[bleeth]

Scott:
Although I don't have a desktop Shop bot has brought them to my camp for demo a couple of times and all we did was plug them in to a normally grounded outlet. I'm not sure the desktops have the same seperate grounding requirements of the big machines as much is different in the control unit. Hopefully you will get some feedback from specific desktop owners for this question.

[backyard_cnc]

As far as grounding goes, your household electrical system should only have 1 ground at the main panel where your meter is. You cannot just add a ground rod at any other point to attempt to improve grounding. Your local electrical code will have regulations regarding this. My original main panel was in my house and the ground was to city water inlet to house, this was a copper line. When I upgraded to 200a service in my workshop and was now feeding the house as a 100a circuit off the shop, I had to install a new ground system at the shop and disconnect the water main ground at the house panel. I also had to remove the neutral bus ground on my original 100a panel. Here in my city this new ground was 2 8ft copper ground rods driven into the ground 12ft apart which is what elect code stated as a min for our soil conditions. When adding sub panels you have to usually ensure that the white neutral bus is only ground at the main panel where the ground is actually attached. Faulty or multiple grounds can create issues that are hazardous to your health and should be done by " qualified" knowledgable electricians. Weekend warriors who can wire a house typically know little about the specifics I mentioned above. Just because the lightbulb comes on doesn,t mean it is wired correctly or safely.

JMHO enjoy. Your newdesktop bot

Gerald

[scottp55]

I leave electricity alone, as I don't even know the questions to ask the electrician. I am definitely a "pound it to shape, file it to fit,paint it to match." any and all comments are needed. thanks

[blackhawk]

Scott - As Gerald says, most locations now require 2 grounding rods for your main panel. Having 2 may not make a difference for the Shopbot, but if your electrician thinks your main panel needs it, I wouldn't hesitate to put in two. It is also good to place the grounding rods in an area that receives good moisture to the soil.

[backyard_cnc]

Please note that when I say 2 grounding rods were used, they are in fact tied together to form one ground and then tied to a single point at the main panel. At no point should multiple ground rods be tied to different points within the system just as the neutral bus is only grounded at the main panel where the ground system is attached. Failure to ensure this is correct can cause goofy ground loop issues and potentially destroy yourhome or workshop.

Gerald