Vfd enclosure

[ronan]

What are you using for protection of your vfd's on your machines ? I am putting a new Huanyang vfd on my mill, but it won't fit in the machines electrical box. I have been to the two electrical places near me and they have nothing big enough, Screwfix have zip either.

Any ideas ? I don't like leaving it open to the air, and these vfd's have no method of clamping the wiring apart from the terminal screws.

 

[daleyd]

I’ve got a metal wall box. I’ll send a pic when I get to the garage. I was concerned about heat but to be honest it doesn’t get that warm in there - could always fit a small vent if needed.

 

[skotl]

I haven't done it yet (saving up for a couple of VFDs and 3ph motors for the lathe and mill) but I've watched a lot of youtube videos, so am clearly an expert

I agree that they should be in an enclosure, for dust, cable protection, electrical protection etc. reasons. One thing I have noted is that a lot of people also put PC fans on the enclosure and trigger these off the DC outputs. Don't know whether that's required in all cases (ha ha!) though.

 

[Seadog]

 

[daleyd]

This what I used - excuse the state of the wiring I’m part way through putting in a 24v power supply and hmi!

 

[Hopefuldave]

Mine's hidden in the lathe base, on a tray with cut-down server room rack slides...


Excuse the state of the paint, it was a while ago...
A ventilation cover fits over the cubbyhole, with some mesh to keep the swarf out.

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[MattH]

TLC direct have a good selection of metal enclosures.

 

[daleyd]

https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/wall-boxes/8428305/

Something like this would do (depending on size of your drive...)

 

[clueless77]

I use this one for mine, plastic outer with see through door, metal plate on back inner wall to act as heat sink. I got it from an electrical factors in rochdale a few years ago.

 

[RichardM]

What size VFD, I have an old enclosure I was using until I redesigned my cabinets.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/stuff-you-have-made-today.67127/page-466#post-1518394

the one one the left is now spare.

 

[Kram]

I couldnt find any adequately cheap enclosures, some cost as much as a vfd! so I made one up from an old aluminium PC case. PC cases are cheap, but you need to ensure all panels have a good earth connection, so screwed together rather than just slotted.
I have used it in hot weather and the fan does come on with heavy cutting but its well within the temperature limit, I dont need to add any vent or fans. However its not finished yet but perfectly usable.

 

[R-D-R]

used a Schneider box £20 from amazon I think, a little snug and maybe should have gone for next size up for £3. modified with filtered ventilation and an active fan triggered by the VFD when it needs it. Also mounted the brake resistor on the outside.

 

[duncans]

I used one of these mate I cut holes in the side for ventilation and used gauze to stop any dust it's very fine mesh make sure you have enough room around your VFD it does state how many mm it needs and used glands for the cables to enter yeah there are quite a few on flea bay the cabinets I paid £40.00 delivered

 

[ronan]

Seen an electrical place up in Tyrone on fleabay, they have enclosures which will do, not too expensive either. I went into CEF here in Dublin yesterday, everything they had was max 120 mm deep.

 

[duncans]

Seen an electrical place up in Tyrone on fleabay, they have enclosures which will do, not too expensive either. I went into CEF here in Dublin yesterday, everything they had was max 120 mm deep.

you might drop on one that's been used mate on fleabay