Workshop Power

Project: Workshop Power

This project is to install 3 phase power in the workshop area of the Hackspace, to replace the use of a temporary flexible cable which can only feed one item at a time.

We already have the Bridgeport Mill and a Donkey Saw which require 3phase power, but with the installation of proper infrastructure we will be able to run more powerful welders (TIG and Arc), and other tools we may get in the future - perhaps a better air compressor.

We also need 3phase to run a motor / fan that we have for dust extraction. In addition to 3phase power, some higher-current single phase outlets are needed for welding equipment that we have. Including these in the project will reduce the reliance on 'domestic' 13A sockets for these items.

Key Dates: Creation of project page 21st August 2013

link to mailing list or somesuch

Project Contacts

• David Clarke (Page creation, general guidance as to project direction)
• Matt Lloyd (interest in metalworking area tooling, and installation of the wiring)
• User:some_third_person

Updated Plan for discussion

Wall is now in place and Dist board is mounted The plan is:- 3 * 16 A Commando sockets with RCD + Isolator mounted:- Above Bridgeport Near Donkey Saw Near corner of new wall and back wall

Dedicated fixed supply to Large DialArc welder hard wired with isolator

Single phase consumer unit from one phase to provide 2 single phase rings one for MW side + one for CNC/Laser cutter side - exact socket positions TBD

Plan is to reuse the 4mm SWA currently used for the run from Main Dist to end point above workshop door for to wire the Commando Sockets. This cable has 'old' colour codes but this is not really an issue. We could scrap/rebuy some 4mm SWA for this if we really care about the colour code extra cost would be about £60 for the new cable minus a few pounds in scrap for the old.

The new dist board needs a connection back to the main dist board. This is approx 40 meters. Need to decide on 10mm or 16mm for this run Cost is £239 for 10mm or £352 for 16mm (inc vat + delivery) so 10mm saves £113.

10mm Allows for 59A/phase 16mm Allows for 79A/phase

Our Expected usage is:

Dev	L1	L2	L3
Bridgeport	5	5	5
Hacksaw	3	3	3
Welder	48	48	0
S/P Rings	0	0	32
Addnl 3ph	16	16	16
Totals	72	72	52

The welder is slightly unknown!, the manual http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o315u_mil.pdf Is for the USA 200/480V unit and I have used the total power draw (20Kva) to get the 415v current, this will be a worst case number, actual is likely to be significantly lower.

This current Draw (72A) would indicate 16mm cable but real world usage we are not going to have bridgeport + full current welding + hacksaw +additional 3 phase in use all together !!

In real life 59A/Phase is in my opinion more than we will ever actually need. so unless someone has another view the plan is for 10mm.

The other issue is connection into the main dist board. At present we have a (guessed) 125A input supply this is split vial a main isolator into 2 isolated dist boards with 60A isolators.

To connect in the new Workshop dist board there are a number of options but the cheapest would be to remove dist board2, move the (not many) points on that over to dist 1 and reuse the existing 60A isolator to feed the new workshop dist board.

This needs a reasonable amount of work but no new kit. It would need a half day or so of 'no power in the space' to do the work.

The alternative would be purchase a new isolator to feed the WS dist board and add it. This would be simpler but a new 60A Fused Isolator is £151 Here

or £250 for a 100A unit

The 60A unit is good for 10mm cable, the 100A for 16mm Cable. the exiting one that could be re-used by rewireing the dist2 board is a 60A unit.

There is becoming some urgency in completing this project. The wall between the metalworking area is about to be constructed - necessary to keep grinding and welding dust away from the laser cutter area - is about to be built, and then we will have no excuse for not being able to run the heavier machinery using 3 phase power.

Monday 17/2/2014 - while waiting for arrival of materials for the wall, let's get some accurate measurements of the cable runs required.

Other Stuff

Power requirements of tools we have

Bridgeport Mill (16A / 3phase)

TIG welder (70A / Single phase 415V)

Extraction fan motor

Power requirement of tools we might get

Length of supply cable

30 metres from the main switch area (cupboard in the Blue Room) along the South wall to the Workshop area. (N.B. needs checking, as this cable is available cut to the metre length)

Outlets required

16A/3 for Bridgeport 16A/3 for Donkey Saw Direct wiring to distribution board for TIG welder 32A/2 for Arc welder (guess, but we have these connectors already from Bridgeport) 16A/3 for Dust fan 16A/1 for MIG welder

Possibly switched outlets that can be padlocked to control access to 'needing induction' tools.

Other stuff

We have a quantity of donated cable, which was originally used to connect the 16A/3 socket outlets that we have. As this is 'old colours' it is probably best to scrap this (could get £90) and use the money to fund the purchase of modern multicore flexible for the socket wiring around the workshop.

Distribution boards available.

1. 12 x 3phase ways / 100A incoming isolator.

  6 - MEM 16A type 3 single phase MCBs
  9 - MEM 16A/3 type 3 3phase MCBs

2. 16 x 3phase ways / 100A incoming isolator.

  1 - 63A/3 3phase MCB
  4 - 40A 3phase MCBs
  5 - 32A/3D 3phase MCBs
  2 - 32A/3C 3phase MCBs
  7 - 20A/3C 3phase MCBs
  1 - 20A/1 single phase MCB

In addition we already have 2 32A, 2 16A and 1 6A RCCBO for protection of single phase cicuits.

Costings

Distribution board and MCBs - Donated, though we may need some different MCBs 3phase 16A socket outlets - Donated, though these are non-switched. Otherwise £20 each, or £10 to add switches. 30 metres of 10mm² SWA 4-core cable + glands £130 Single-phase 16A socket outlets from £7 (http://chaloncomponents.co.uk/shop/article_GW62477/GW62477.html) Single-phase RCCDOs we have.

Some photos perhaps? Awaiting these.

• File:Photo of Distribution boards
• File:Photo of MCBs and 3phase outlets
• File:Photo of donated cable

Page based on template suggested by Michael Erskine