Hypertherm PAC500 Water Injection Plasma Cutting System - Manual (Page 26)

3-2 PAC500 Instruction Manual
4
INSTALLATION
Pre-installation Requirements
The following requirements must be fulfilled before installing the PAC500 Plasma Cutting System.
Water Supply
The PAC500 system needs a clean water supply to cool the torch and constrict and accelerate the arc. The
maximum water temperature recommended for the torch is 70° F (21° C). The total flow rate required is
approximately 2.5 gallons/min. (9.5 liters/min.) per torch.
Install a disconnect switch near the pump fused at 6 amps for 460V, 3 phase, or 12 amps for 230V, 3 phase.
Water Quality
Water hardness must be less than 0.5 grains (8.5 ppm) to prevent build-up of calcium deposits in the water-
injection slot of the torch nozzle. If impurities in the untreated water fall below the specifications in the following
table, an ordinary water softener will adequately reduce water hardness to an acceptable level of 0.1 grains.
Hardness.......................................................... 300 ppm
Iron................................................................... 0.3 ppm
Silica ................................................................ 15.0 ppm
Total Dissolved Solids ...................................... 350 ppm
PH .................................................................... 6.5 to 8.5
A water softener is not adequate if impurities in the untreated water exceed the above levels; a reverse osmosis
system or other de-ionizing equipment must be used.
Drain
The water pump system circulates 1.6 gallons/min. (6 liters/min.) to the cathode when the control console is on.
An adequate drain must be provided to handle this flow. When the torch is on, water flows at approximately
.4 gallons/min. (1.5 liters/min.) from the torch to the workpiece. Install a drain in the cutting area to handle this flow.
Gas Supply
The regulated nitrogen source must be 99.995% pure capable of delivering 165 to 260 cfh at 150 psi. The
regulated argon-hydrogen (65% argon-35% hydrogen) source must be capable of delivering 300 cfh at 150 psi.
Note: Most regulators used for welding do not have adequate flow capacity. Be certain that the regulators
meet both the flow rates and the delivery pressure.
Input Power
Refer to H401/H601 power supply instruction manual 800410.