Installing a Forward/Reverse Switch in the KBAC-27D
The KBAC-27D is a great little VFD, but the base model does not come with a forward/reverse switch installed. You can buy the forward reverse switch kit that KB Electronics sells or you can cobble together parts from the hardware store like I did.
NOTE: This information presented here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified professional electrician. Always exercise extreme caution when working with electricity. All wiring must adhere to national and local electrical codes.
Tools:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wire strippers
- Crimping tool (Crimper)
Materials:
- SPDT toggle switch (GSW-12)
- GB Toggle Switch Cover (1)
- Blue ring terminal for #6 (about 1/8") stud (3)
- 16 AWG wire, 3 ft. (90 cm)
- Insulated female quick connects, 1/4" (3)
- Cable ties (3) or electrical tape.
The rubber cover for the switch is a GSW-20. They come in packages of 2. They are made of EPDM and contain a nut that threads directly on to the switch and seals the lever and around the nut against the door. These covers are necessary to maintain the VFD's NEMA 4X rating against water and dust.
The ring terminals can be found at most any auto parts store. These have a 1/8" hole and are small enough to fit the switch screws, but not too large to get in each other's way. The blue color indicates the size of wire they are meant for which is 16 AWG or 14 AWG.
The wire I have is 16 AWG TEW (Thermoplastic Electric Wire) which is common hookup wire. You could use smaller wire for this application as long you use suitable (red) ring terminals and quick disconnects.Procedure
Cut three pieces of 16 AWG wire about 10" long. The wires can be different color like mine, or they can be the same color as long as you identify what wire goes where.
If you use the same color of hookup wire, simple stripes with a permanent marker can be used to identify the individual wires.
Using the wire stripper remove about 3/8" (10 mm) of the insulation on each of the wire ends.
Slip the ring terminal over the un-insulated part until the copper is sticking through of and give it a good squeeze with the crimper. Note I am using the area of the crimper that says "INSUL" which is meant for insulated terminals.
Each wire will have an insulated female quick connect at the end opposite to the ring terminals. After this step you should have three wires; each with a ring terminal at one end and a quick connect at the other.
Remove the three screws from the switch terminals.
Screw the ring terminals on so that the red (forward) wire it as the bottom of the switch and the terminals move to the right of the switch when viewed from behind.
Screw the toggle switch cover and tighten.
Using some cable ties or electrical tape, tidy up and secure the wiring to the existing bundle of wires.
6 comments:
Hey Dan, I'm curious. Is there a way to have the one VFD be used by multiple devices, having the power switched in some way to the one motor you would want to control?
Hey Dan!
Yes, one can wire a three pole switch that would direct the power to one of two different motors. Another approach would be to use one common receptacle on the VFD output side and wire a mating plug to each motor you want to use.
Some issues can arise with multiple motors. Each motor should ideally be the same horsepower, then you can set and forget the VFD settings/jumpers. If they are not, you may lose some of the protection that the VFD provides. Example, the VFD thinks the motor is a 2 hp and you connect a 1 hp motor to it. The motor will not be properly protected during an overload.
Ed Cafrey did a good write-up on the switch method.
Best wishes,
Dan
My motor is a 1 1/2 horse, do I need to have that ... noticed your switch is 3/4 hp, did it matter? Thanks so much for the posts!!!!!!
Hi,
Good question. The HP rating on the switch is meant for when the switch has to break the motor load directly. This action is likely to produce some serious arcing and this burns the switch contacts over time.
As we are using the switch to control the input power to the VFD, the current rating (in my case) 20A @120V is sufficient. The transistors inside the VFD are controlling the motor load and not the switch directly.
Dan
Hi,
Does the motor have to be "reversible" in order for the forward/reverse switch to operate correctly? Thanks, Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Three phase motors are inherently reversible. You can swap any two of the three motor leads and change the rotation. Example: Input power ABC will become BAC and run in the opposite direction. The VFD does this change internally, so you want to get it setup to run correctly forward and let the VFD change from forward to reverse when you want.
Regards,
Dan
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