VFD wiring questions

[Zachary Hoyt]

i'm planning to mount the VFD out of the way on the back of the bandsaw in a metal enclosure. To buy a NEMA 12 enclosure of the proper size the manufacturer recommends is $165, not much less than the VFD, but I found an old metal tool box on eBay that is the right size plus a bit and can be had for $30 with the shipping. I'll use some weather stripping to seal up the door edges if I can, and I think it should work.

[Malcolm McLeod]

Have not read all of these, but SO cord is fine for wiring: 2 cond +gnd for the supply to the VFD; 3-cond +gnd from VFD to motor. Be careful of enclosures. The VFD needs air flow to cool. If sealed in an enclosure, clearance from the VFD surface to the enclosure ‘walls’, the total surface area, and enclosure material are important to shedding heat.

Surge suppressors, filters, etc are largely unnecessary unless you are dealing with very long wire runs (>100’).