Hypertherm Powermax45 Sync - Single Phase Power Supply

[yngndrw]

Hello,

I have a question about the Hypertherm Powermax45 Sync when used from a single-phase power supply - I'm in the UK where it's typical for larger single-phase equipment to use a 16A or 32A "commando" plug.

I've seen plenty of people using the older Hypertherm Powermax45 XP with a 32A plug and a retailer also mentioned a 32A supply for the 45 Sync, however, the manual mentions the following:

From this, for the CE region, a 35A supply with 50A circuit protection is required. Is this a mistake in the manual? Is anybody else using one of these plasma cutters from a 32A 230V supply?

[adbuch]

I am presently using my Hypertherm 45xp (non-Sync) on a 30 amp/240Vac circuit with no problems. I'm not sure what a "Commando" plug is.
David

[yngndrw]

Thank you David, it puts my mind at ease to know that you've been able to use it without problems.

I think commando plugs/sockets are more of European thing, I'm not sure they are used at all in the US. Sometimes they are called Ceeform plugs/sockets as well.

You may have seen them online before:

32A Commando.jpg (30.9 KiB) Viewed 1673 times

32A Commando.jpg (30.9 KiB) Viewed 1673 times

There are generally four different sizes (16A, 32A, 64A, 125A) although 16A and 32A are the most common. They are also colour-coded for voltage, common ones are:
- Yellow for 110V, usually with a centre-tapped Earth for building sites
- Blue for 230V, single-phase
- Red for 415V, three-phase

[adbuch]

Thanks for the information! I have not seen this style plug here in the US, but always nice to know what others are using. The ones I use here at my shop look something like this one rated for 30 to 50 amps at 240Vac.

David

[yngndrw]

Ahh, that would explain where the 50A fuse recommendation from Hypertherm comes from. I didn't realise that your plugs had a 50A rating.

[adbuch]

Ahh, that would explain where the 50A fuse recommendation from Hypertherm comes from. I didn't realise that your plugs had a 50A rating.

You would only use a 50 amp fuse if your shop circuit wiring is rated for 50 amps. Probably would need to be #6 AWG copper. The fuse needs to protect the wiring. It's ok to use larger wiring with a smaller fuse, but not the other way around.

David

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Thank you David, it puts my mind at ease to know that you've been able to use it without problems.

I think commando plugs/sockets are more of European thing, I'm not sure they are used at all in the US. Sometimes they are called Ceeform plugs/sockets as well.

You may have seen them online before:
32A Commando.jpg
There are generally four different sizes (16A, 32A, 64A, 125A) although 16A and 32A are the most common. They are also colour-coded for voltage, common ones are:
- Yellow for 110V, usually with a centre-tapped Earth for building sites
- Blue for 230V, single-phase
- Red for 415V, three-phase

Some industrial applications in the US use a metallic "Pin & Sleeve" plug like this:

[SegoMan DeSigns]

Thanks for the information! I have not seen this style plug here in the US, but always nice to know what others are using. The ones I use here at my shop look something like this one rated for 30 to 50 amps at 240Vac.

David

30 - 50 amp plug.jpg

David,

Have you noticed how these plug have been shrinking in size over the years? They are actually to a point where you feel uncomfortable pulling the plug with your fingers wrapped around it and the larger wire sizes are a challenge to install.. If you look into an RV style disconnect plug they have finger slots for an easier / safer pull and come in the same various NEMA configurations:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225278919910?i ... R7ytyeKHZA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375266317450?i ... BM1qf15Ydk

Steve

[yngndrw]

Thank you David, it puts my mind at ease to know that you've been able to use it without problems.

I think commando plugs/sockets are more of European thing, I'm not sure they are used at all in the US. Sometimes they are called Ceeform plugs/sockets as well.

You may have seen them online before:
32A Commando.jpg
There are generally four different sizes (16A, 32A, 64A, 125A) although 16A and 32A are the most common. They are also colour-coded for voltage, common ones are:
- Yellow for 110V, usually with a centre-tapped Earth for building sites
- Blue for 230V, single-phase
- Red for 415V, three-phase

Some industrial applications in the US use a metallic "Pin & Sleeve" plug like this:

Ah I haven't seen those before, but they are very similar to the commando plugs - I wonder if the designs are related.

Thanks for the information! I have not seen this style plug here in the US, but always nice to know what others are using. The ones I use here at my shop look something like this one rated for 30 to 50 amps at 240Vac.

David

30 - 50 amp plug.jpg

David,

Have you noticed how these plug have been shrinking in size over the years? They are actually to a point where you feel uncomfortable pulling the plug with your fingers wrapped around it and the larger wire sizes are a challenge to install.. If you look into an RV style disconnect plug they have finger slots for an easier / safer pull and come in the same various NEMA configurations:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225278919910?i ... R7ytyeKHZA

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375266317450?i ... BM1qf15Ydk

Steve

The sockets for our commando plug are now, by regulation (At least in the UK, I'm not sure about the rest of Europe), interlocked meaning that they have a switch which can only be operated when the plug is in and the switch locks the plug in place. This means that it's always deenergised when you're plugging it in or unplugging it.

I'm not sure if you have an interlocked option for those Nema plugs but if you have, it might be worth looking at those.