Hypertherm THC ArcGlide - Manual (Page 56)

56 ArcGlide THC Instruction Manual 806450
2 – Installation
each motor as possible. If there are motors at each end of the gantry, run a separate EMI ground cable from the
far motor to the gantry bus bar. The gantry bus bar should have a separate, heavy EMI ground cable 21.2 mm
2
(4 AWG; 047031) to the table bus bar. The EMI ground cables for the torch lifter and the RHF console must each
run separately to the table ground bus.
3. A ground rod that meets all applicable local and national electrical codes must be installed within 6 m (20 ft) of the
cutting table. This is a PE ground and should be connected to the cutting table ground bus bar using 16 mm 2
(6 AWG) green and yellow grounding cable (047121) or equivalent.
4. For the most effective shielding, use the Hypertherm CNC interface cables for I/O signals, serial communication
signals, between plasma systems in multi-drop connections, and for interconnections between all parts of the
Hypertherm system.
5. All hardware used in the ground system must be brass or copper. While you can use steel studs welded to the
cutting table for mounting the ground bus, no other aluminum or steel hardware can be used in the ground system.
6. AC power, PE, and service grounds must be connected to all equipment according to local and national codes.
7. For a system with a remote high frequency console (RHF), the positive, negative, and pilot arc leads should be
bundled together for as long a distance as possible. The torch lead, work lead, and the pilot arc (nozzle) leads may be
run parallel to other wires or cables only if they are separated by at least 150 mm (6 inches). If possible, run power
and signal cables in separate cable tracks.
8. For a system with an RHF console, the ignition console should be mounted as closely as possible to the torch, and
must have a separate ground cable that connects directly to the cutting table ground bus bar.
9. Each Hypertherm component, as well as any other CNC or motor drive cabinet or enclosure, must have a separate
ground cable to the common (star) ground on the table. This includes the ignition console, whether it is bolted to the
plasma system or to the cutting table.
10. The metal braided shield on the torch lead must be connected firmly to the ignition console and to the torch. It must
be electrically insulated from any metal and from any contact with the floor or building. The torch lead can be run in a
plastic cable tray or track, or covered with a plastic or leather sheath.
11. The torch holder and the torch breakaway mechanism – the part mounted to the lifter, not the part mounted to the
torch – must be connected to the stationary part of the lifter with copper braid at least 12.7 mm (0.5 inches) wide. A
separate cable must run from the lifter to the gantry ground bus bar. The valve assembly should also have a separate
ground connection to the gantry ground bus bar.
12. If the gantry runs on rails that are not welded to the table, then each rail must be connected with a ground cable from
the end of the rail to the table. The rail ground cables connect directly to the table and do not need to connect to the
table ground bus bar.
13. If you are installing a voltage divider board, mount it as closely as possible to where the arc voltage is sampled.
One recommended location is inside the plasma system enclosure. If a Hypertherm voltage divider board is used, the
output signal is isolated from all other circuits. The processed signal should be run in twisted shielded cable
(Belden 1800F or equivalent). Use a cable with a braided shield, not a foil shield. Connect the shield to the chassis
of the plasma system and leave it unconnected at the other end.
14. All other signals (analog, digital, serial, and encoder) should run in twisted pairs inside a shielded cable. Connectors
on these cables should have a metal housing. The shield, not the drain, should be connected to the metal housing of
the connector at each end of the cable. Never run the shield or the drain through the connector on any of the pins.