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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Brisbane
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    27
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    33

    Default Shielded Cable 4core 1.5mm^2/2.5mm^2

    Just looking if anyone has some shielded cable suited for a vfd or servo drives.

    If not, does anyone need some (in the case I find a cheap roll)?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld
    Posts
    401

    Default

    I'm going to need some in the coming weeks, can't say that I really gave it much thought before now, just figured would go down to the local electrical wholesaler that sells cable by the meter and pick some up.

    I need a whopping 1m length.....

    Let us know how you go on your search, just did some quick reading and turns out there is some difference between "normal" cable and good stuff for a VFD
    Why High Performance VFD Cable is Important

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    7,182

    Default

    I'm not suggesting not to bother with shielded cable but I just want to relate my experience with shielded cables and radio noise in my shed.

    When I first set up my shed I setup a 1970's era stereo system and the more VFDs I set up in the shed the worse the radio reception for certain AM stations got.
    Because the shed is Colorbond using an external antenna improved radio reception but it made no difference to the noise.

    I tried shielding the cable between the VFD and motor cable on the VFD closest to the radio but found it made very little difference to the radio noise.
    After much mucking about I worked out that most of the noise was reflecting back down the mains line.
    I tried using one of those computer mains cables with a magnetic filter on it but that also made little difference.

    The more VFDs I left turned on the worse the radio noise even if the motors were not running, but with the motors running the noise was worse again. 3 VFDs switched on and one motor running was enough to kill radio reception at the low end of the AM band.

    I got around the radio noise problem by getting a digital radio which does not seem to be bothered by the VFDs.

    It would be interesting to know from any members if they have had noise problem.
    I believe there is at least one member who had a wifi problem with a VFD but I don't know how it was resolved.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    27
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    33

    Default

    I'm probably over-thinking the shielding for my entire build, but without an in-depth knowledge of electrical systems I'm going to try eliminate interference as much as possible
    Probably heading to J.R Turk in a few days to get some advice and cable, just thought if anyone here had some to shift.

    EDIT: Posted without seeing previous.
    Shielding in my case is for ac servos, encoders. Small CNC conversion.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    One of the more relevant issues with VFD noise in a workshop is that it interferes with digital measuring gear. On my mill, the low end DROs go completely random without shielding of the motor cable. Shielding of the DRO cables helps a little, but at certain settings of the VFD the DRO switches on and off and display random mumbers between -16,000 and +16,000mm Shielding both has fixed it.
    My machines are too noisy to listen to radio, so I've never tried that ....
    Cheers, Joe
    retired - less energy, more time to contemplate projects and more shed time....

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Norwood-ish, Adelaide
    Age
    59
    Posts
    6,541

    Default

    I asked a local industrial electrician if he had any and got a couple of offcuts for free (I had recently got them to do some work admittedly).
    Better to only do things once and as recommended rather than have to do it again when the neighbours/ other half complains.

    Michael

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld
    Posts
    401

    Default

    So I went out looking to get some today as was out getting some bolts, turns out that it is harder to find then I thought, one of the electrical wholesalers said they could order it in but didn't seem real keen and didn't even bother to give me a price.....

    Side note, they appear to be referred to everywhere as VSD or EMC cables

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    27
    Posts
    33

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Toowoomba Qld
    Posts
    401

    Default

    Just updating post for reference for anyone that cares

    Ended up getting some cable this morning
    Went through L&H Electrical
    Lawrence & Hanson – Electrical Wholesaler Australia 01 home - Lawrence & Hanson - Electrical Wholesaler Australia

    They had the Kabeltec Flex-CY-JB in 4x2.5mm2 in stock
    Productdetail - Kabeltec Englisch

    Was about $5 /m as a walk in, retail customer, sold by the meter

    Good looking cable, pretty flexible so I think it should work pretty well. The Evolution cables linked above look to have better shielding but I think still stuff will do just fine.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    27
    Posts
    33

    Default

    In terms of connectors what kind could I use to 'connect' the split cable shielding so I can terminate it in one place (plastic case idea) as I would prefer to not run glands and cables through to a terminal block.

    I only know the basics like audio, cinch style, D-Sub, nothing certain that I know connects to the shielding (braided or foil).

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    I'm not suggesting not to bother with shielded cable but I just want to relate my experience with shielded cables and radio noise in my shed.

    When I first set up my shed I setup a 1970's era stereo system and the more VFDs I set up in the shed the worse the radio reception for certain AM stations got.
    Because the shed is Colorbond using an external antenna improved radio reception but it made no difference to the noise.

    I tried shielding the cable between the VFD and motor cable on the VFD closest to the radio but found it made very little difference to the radio noise.
    After much mucking about I worked out that most of the noise was reflecting back down the mains line.
    I tried using one of those computer mains cables with a magnetic filter on it but that also made little difference.

    The more VFDs I left turned on the worse the radio noise even if the motors were not running, but with the motors running the noise was worse again. 3 VFDs switched on and one motor running was enough to kill radio reception at the low end of the AM band.

    I got around the radio noise problem by getting a digital radio which does not seem to be bothered by the VFDs.

    It would be interesting to know from any members if they have had noise problem.
    I believe there is at least one member who had a wifi problem with a VFD but I don't know how it was resolved.
    the vfd on my drill interferes with the radio.
    I have been told to fit an inline filter.

    My sparkie who did the VSD for the chiller pumps I installed last year said you need to fit a filter by law .....oh well

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