Background
The idea of providing power to your machine seems simple: just plug it in. In reality, there are a number of other components used in order to provide power appropriately safety for you and the machine, including (but not limited to):
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The main disconnect switch
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Fuses and/or circuit breakers
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Emergency stop switch/button
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Separate latching circuits for the spindle and rest of the machine
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Transformers, which change the electricity to the appropriate value
Even with all of these components, you can systematically locate nearly any problem with just a multimeter.
Tools
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Digital multimeter
Twist Out the Emergency Stop Button
Reason: The Emergency Stop button is pushed in.
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Twist out the Emergency Stop button and press the Reset button.
The Reset button doesn't illuminate until after you:
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Twist out the Emergency Stop button.
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Press the Reset button.
Reset the Building’s Mains Breaker
Reason: The shop or building’s mains breaker is turned off.
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Examine the building’s breaker. If it's not already on, turn it on.
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Using a digital multimeter, measure to inspect and verify that you have power at the outlet.
Inspect the Power Entering the Machine
Reason: The Main Disconnect switch is in the Off position.
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Examine the Main Disconnect switch. If it’s not already in the On position, turn it on and try to take your machine out of reset.
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Measure the voltage coming out of your Main Disconnect switch.
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Identify the wires as indicated in the table.
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If you measure the correct Vac, continue.
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If you do not any Vac, you either have a loose wire or a faulty Main Disconnect switch.
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|
Machine |
Wires |
Measure for… |
|---|---|---|
|
1300PL |
104/N and 103 |
230 Vac nominal |
Reset the CB1 and/or CB3 Circuit Breaker
Reason: The CB1 and/or CB3 circuit breaker tripped.
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Identify your machine in the following table and measure the wires as indicated.
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If required, power off the machine and reset the tripped breaker.
|
Machine |
Wires (CB1 and CB3) |
Measure for… |
|---|---|---|
|
1300PL |
105 and 106/N and 111 and 112/N |
230 Vac nominal |
Inspect the DC power supply (PS1)
Reason: The DC power supply PS1 is defective.
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With a multimeter measure the Vdc between 401 and 402.
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If the digital multimeter reads below 22 Vdc, with a multimeter measure between 113 and 114/N for the input Vac.
If the input Vac is correct, replace the DC power supply.
|
Machine |
Wires |
Measure for… |
|---|---|---|
|
1300PL |
401 and 402 |
24 Vdc nominal |
|
Machine |
Wires |
Measure for… |
|---|---|---|
|
1300PL |
113 and 114/N |
220 Vac nominal |
Inspect the K1 Contactor
Reason: The contactor K1 is defective.
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Examine the K1 contactor’s red LED light. Depending on the state, do one of the following:
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Red LED is On. This indicates that the contactor is latched. Use a digital multimeter to examine the power at K1-1 and wire 117.
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Red LED is Off. Press and hold the Reset button and observe the LED on K1:
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If it's on, K1 has a latching circuit issue.
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If it's not on, K1 may have a coil issue.
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