584,817 active members*
5,140 visitors online*
Register for free
Login
IndustryArena Forum > CNC Electronics > Spindles / VFD > Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded
Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    10

    Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    My first spindle (water cooled, 1.5kW, ER11) had a issue with the bearings (it would scream about about 13,000rpm). I'm installing the replacement spindle (water cooled, 1.5kw, ER16) and I've discovered that all 4 pins are grounded. I've told the supplier and expect them to help, but I've already waited 6 weeks for the replacement to arrive and don't want to wait that much again. Has anyone experienced this issue and/or can anyone give advice on something simple I could look for to fix this?

    Thanks,
    Allistar.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    What did you use to test and what was the actual resistance?
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    10

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    I used a multimeter and had is set to the "beep" function so it beeps when there's a connection. The supplier has told me it's like the ground wire is pinched underneath the cap and that I shouldn't try and fix it myself. They're sending a replacement. Annoying to have to wait weeks longer. Thanks anyway.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1267

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Only the ground pin should "beep" to the spindle case. If any other pins "beep" to the case, you either have a fried winding, or a short in the wiring.

    It could be something as simple as a pinched wire, as your supplier said (which means poor assembly practices and/or poor quality control).

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    4280

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Hi,
    multi meters are poor devices for measuring low resistances.

    I use a Kelvin bridge and it can measure resistances down to micro-ohms, but say as low as 10mili-ohm at 1% accuracy. I would suggest asking a motor re-wind company to
    measure the resistances for you. Having said that the ground wire alone should be connected to the motor casing, the other three should be meg-ohms to the casing.

    Craig

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Posts
    1267

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Quote Originally Posted by joeavaerage View Post
    Hi,
    multi meters are poor devices for measuring low resistances.
    They are perfectly good to check for an open winding, or for a short between the winding and the ground, or for a short between the winding leads. I would say, that covers 99% of the cases.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Of course, it would only take one of the motor conductors that was grounded to show a GND on all three, it would register as such due to the low resistance between each winding.
    Remove the connector screws to examine below the connector to check for a pinched wire etc.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Quote Originally Posted by allistar View Post
    I used a multimeter and had is set to the "beep" function so it beeps when there's a connection. The supplier has told me it's like the ground wire is pinched underneath the cap and that I shouldn't try and fix it myself. They're sending a replacement. Annoying to have to wait weeks longer. Thanks anyway.
    All 3 phases U V W will beep if you are using continuity check, but not each phase to Ground, Spindle Body to U V W.

    It is quite normal for someone to wire these spindles incorrectly, you don't have much room for the wire connections, the Plug pins need to be insolated.

    First check the wiring you did in the plug, this is where most of the problems happen.

    Yes you should remove the top cap this is normal. to have to do this to attach the Ground wire, a pinched Ground wire is not going to short all 3 phases to Ground, each pin would have to be connected to Ground for this to happen

    If the spindle motor is fried then it is possible that each phase has a short to Ground, this normally happens with incorrect Parameters set in the VFD Drive
    Mactec54

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Quote Originally Posted by mactec54 View Post
    a pinched Ground wire is not going to short all 3 phases to Ground, each pin would have to be connected to Ground for this to happen
    I am assuming the OP measured between pins with the VFD disconnected!
    And a short to GND on one of the phase pins is going to register on all, the coil resistance on these motors is very low.
    It would register a short on all three particularly using a 'Beeper' setting which is usually diode check on a meter and actually measure volt drop for diode testing.NOT resistance.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Quote Originally Posted by Al_The_Man View Post
    I am assuming the OP measured between pins with the VFD disconnected!
    And a short to GND on one of the phase pins is going to register on all, the coil resistance on these motors is very low.
    It would register a short on all three particularly using a 'Beeper' setting which is usually diode check on a meter and actually measure volt drop for diode testing.NOT resistance.
    Correct, this would be a spindle motor problem, if this was the case.

    There is no Ground wire, that can be pinched, unless he has had the top off and add a Ground wire, which by what he posted he had not had the top off, very few come with the Ground pin connected, to anything.

    The only other way is if he checked it with the spindle plug in place, and checked the cable end ( VFD Drive End ) this then would indicate the he has incorrectly installed plug, on the spindle end.
    Mactec54

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Posts
    4252

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    The Beep setting is useless here. Measure the actual resistance! Between phases and to ground/case as well.

    Cheers
    Roger

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24216

    Re: Spindle: all 4 pins are grounded

    Although.. not completely useless! if it beeps from a phase to motor frame, It would mean there is current flowing (as in Diode test) so there would definitely be a problem.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

Similar Threads

  1. Spindle rotor (& tool holder) not grounded (???)
    By dwg123 in forum Spindles / VFD
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 07-04-2020, 01:13 AM
  2. Port 1 Pins current State - input pins flickering on and off in diagnostics screen??
    By ProtoXNH in forum CNC Plasma / Oxy Fuel Cutting Machines
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 11-25-2016, 11:06 PM
  3. What connecter pins to use on spindle?
    By LazyMan in forum DIY CNC Router Table Machines
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-17-2015, 01:41 AM
  4. Tapered Pins for alignment of spindle plate
    By bgolash in forum MetalWork Discussion
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-11-2006, 02:37 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •