PowerMAX 85 Power Cable

[CNCCAJUN]

As I am getting nearer to finishing my shop I figure I need to top out my electrical with the proper 230 VAC receptacles for the equipment I plan on buying.


Top of the list: PowerMAX 85. After reading the manual last night I realized the input power cable supplied with the PowerMAX 85 is not supposed to be used with single (1) phase 230VAC. The cable supplied is for use on a three (3) phase power system only.

So I am thinking I need to make up a 6 gauge SO cord about 10 feet long. Will hard wire it into a 60 amp disconnect to match the 60 amp GE Breaker that will be powering the unit. Then when the PowerMAX & plasma table arrive I will have to rewire the PowerMAX 85 to accept the 6 gauge SO cord.

Anyone out there that has a PowerMAX 85 running on single (1) phase power here in the United States, please let me know what you know. You would think as many Hypertherm units sold they would at least offer a proper input power cable as standard or at least as an option.

Speaking of options, as to the PowerMAX 85, do I want it with:

1. Standard power supply?

2. Power supply with CPC port and selectable voltage ratio?

3. Power supply with CPC port, selectable voltage ratio and serial interface port (RS-485)?

Seems like the logical choice would be option #3 for perhaps the future.

[jimcolt]

-The Powermax85 (CSA version) will run on any voltage between 200 and 600 volts AC, single or three phase. You can use the cord that the machine ships with for single or three phase operation. Clip off the red wire (tape it up as well) and use the green (electrical ground) and the black and white (single phase power leads). Because of the short length of the cord it can handle the maximum amperage that you will normally see on single phase circuits. There are thousands of these units wired this way, mine has been running for 3 years on 230 volts single phase with the original cord.

- The various options for the system depend entirely on what machine you will be mounting the plasma system on. Since I don't know that....I will offer a few guidelines:

1. Standard power supply? The standard power supply is designed for use with a hand torch. There is no additional interface connections....and the way the torch fires is via the torch trigger switch.

2. Power supply with CPC port and selectable voltage ratio? The CPC port comes on most units that are configured with machine torches. CPC (circular plastic connector) is an electrical interface plug located on the power supply's rear panel....it has the start input (only starts the machine torch....will not start a hand torch), the arc transferred output (used for starting cnc machine motion, and stopping it if the arc extinguishes), and a divided voltage output with 5 settable ratios (used for arc voltage feedback height controls on cnc machines). Note that if you have a Powermax65, 85 or 105 that is not equipped with the CPC port....it is available in an easily installable kit for around $120.

3. Power supply with CPC port, selectable voltage ratio and serial interface port (RS-485)? This additional port (serial data) is for use only with cnc machines that are designed to interface to this serial communication link. It sends all diagnostic information to the cnc, and allows the cnc to control air pressure and amperage. This is used on more sophisticated cnc machines to automate the plasma cutting process similarly to the way it has been done for years on high end industrial machines. The serial port is compatible with Hypertherm brand CNC controls, and CandCNC (www.candcnc.com) electronics and software as well.

Hope this helps!

Jim Colt

As I am getting nearer to finishing my shop I figure I need to top out my electrical with the proper 230 VAC receptacles for the equipment I plan on buying.


Top of the list: PowerMAX 85. After reading the manual last night I realized the input power cable supplied with the PowerMAX 85 is not supposed to be used with single (1) phase 230VAC. The cable supplied is for use on a three (3) phase power system only.

So I am thinking I need to make up a 6 gauge SO cord about 10 feet long. Will hard wire it into a 60 amp disconnect to match the 60 amp GE Breaker that will be powering the unit. Then when the PowerMAX & plasma table arrive I will have to rewire the PowerMAX 85 to accept the 6 gauge SO cord.

Anyone out there that has a PowerMAX 85 running on single (1) phase power here in the United States, please let me know what you know. You would think as many Hypertherm units sold they would at least offer a proper input power cable as standard or at least as an option.

Speaking of options, as to the PowerMAX 85, do I want it with:

1. Standard power supply?

2. Power supply with CPC port and selectable voltage ratio?

3. Power supply with CPC port, selectable voltage ratio and serial interface port (RS-485)?

Seems like the logical choice would be option #3 for perhaps the future.

[CNCCAJUN]

Thank you very much you Jim. . . . I think plasmaspieder needs a "JIM SAID IT SECTION"

As to my post, I expected, someone put something in a Operators Manual that should be ignored . . .

I suspected that, but said "maybe I should check since a PowerMAX 85 cost over $3,000.00"

I surely did not mind the idea of making a 6 AWG SO cord, just hated opening the case of my shiny new PowerMAX when it arrives.

Again, thanks . . . .
Steve in Louisiana

[jimcolt]

A properly trained electrician following local electric codes would definitely follow the directions in the operators manual. In reality, doing it my way is perfectly safe, will have no effect on operation and saves money and time.....just to clear the record! The operators manual has to be correct from an engineering perspective....almost to a fault!

Jim Colt

Thank you very much you Jim. . . . I think plasmaspieder needs a "JIM SAID IT SECTION"

As to my post, I expected, someone put something in a Operators Manual that should be ignored . . .

I suspected that, but said "maybe I should check since a PowerMAX 85 cost over $3,000.00"

I surely did not mind the idea of making a 6 AWG SO cord, just hated opening the case of my shiny new PowerMAX when it arrives.

Again, thanks . . . .
Steve in Louisiana

[muzza]

I suspected that, but said "maybe I should check since a PowerMAX 85 cost over $3,000.00"

Steve in Louisiana

Be grateful your not downunder, I was quoted over $5,000.00 for a PM 85 with machine torch recently. That's why my current PM45 came in via third party purchase in the US and air freighted to me at a saving of over $1000.00, just means it's not CE and I have no warranty. Looks like I'll do the same thing with an 85 shortly.
Murray

[_Ogre]

CPC (circular plastic connector)

really? cpc stands for circular plastic connector?
i figured it was a technical name of some degree

[jimcolt]

I would love to come up with a better set of descriptive words for CPC! I may have to get my thesaurus out and find some good "C" words that describe the CPC's functionality...

Jim

CPC (circular plastic connector)

really? cpc stands for circular plastic connector?
i figured it was a technical name of some degree