Wizards,
I have a project that fell on its face last week and cost us some money.
I was asked to find out what happened and prevent it from happening again, as well as making the project work with components we have on hand.
Project:
Take the old vibratory system and attach it to the regrind hopper so that the regrind doesn't bridge.
Issues: The controller for the vibratory system does not work and parts are unavailable.
Notes: The "vibrators" themselves work and have a 120 plug. When they are plugged into a 120 power source, they vibrate like crazy.
The proof of concept tested out great, we did not want the vibrators to be on 100% of the time as packing will become an issue.
An icecube relay was installed to trigger the system when the regrind vacuum pulls.
At some point in time, the relay failed (this is what I was told) and back fed 120v through the 24v system and popped the $1800 HMI.
Upon inspection of the ice-cube, internal arcing had occurred and blew off one of the posts. I presume this floating post is what bridged the 24 to the 120.
No fuses were installed on the 24 signal, and I believe this would have prevented the HMI from popping.
I don't know how much current these vibrators pull when they kick on, but I would presume they pull pretty hard.
Would a contactor be more appropriate for this addition?
I am going to dig up some fuses and install them, but I am reluctant to replace the ice-cube relay, as I do not want to pop anything else.
Any advice from those of you who have way more knowledge than me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Gad
I have a project that fell on its face last week and cost us some money.
I was asked to find out what happened and prevent it from happening again, as well as making the project work with components we have on hand.
Project:
Take the old vibratory system and attach it to the regrind hopper so that the regrind doesn't bridge.
Issues: The controller for the vibratory system does not work and parts are unavailable.
Notes: The "vibrators" themselves work and have a 120 plug. When they are plugged into a 120 power source, they vibrate like crazy.
The proof of concept tested out great, we did not want the vibrators to be on 100% of the time as packing will become an issue.
An icecube relay was installed to trigger the system when the regrind vacuum pulls.
At some point in time, the relay failed (this is what I was told) and back fed 120v through the 24v system and popped the $1800 HMI.
Upon inspection of the ice-cube, internal arcing had occurred and blew off one of the posts. I presume this floating post is what bridged the 24 to the 120.
No fuses were installed on the 24 signal, and I believe this would have prevented the HMI from popping.
I don't know how much current these vibrators pull when they kick on, but I would presume they pull pretty hard.
Would a contactor be more appropriate for this addition?
I am going to dig up some fuses and install them, but I am reluctant to replace the ice-cube relay, as I do not want to pop anything else.
Any advice from those of you who have way more knowledge than me would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Gad