Shielded wire for limit/home switches

Bill the Cat

Proud maker of CAT cues
Silver Member
I'm helping a friend setup a Taig CNC Mill. I'm looking for shielded wire to use for the connection of the limit/home switches.

I found this source on line and was wondering if this is the preferred size and would provide adequate shielding for wiring these switches.

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/wire-22-1cs.html

If anyone has a better source, I'm open to suggestions.

I also found these switches.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-LOT-TEMCo...ller-Lever-Arm-SPDT-Snap-Action-/281563458468

Opinions and/or alternate recommendations on these would also be appreciated.

Thanks
 

whammo57

Kim Walker
Silver Member
I'm helping a friend setup a Taig CNC Mill. I'm looking for shielded wire to use for the connection of the limit/home switches.

I found this source on line and was wondering if this is the preferred size and would provide adequate shielding for wiring these switches.

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/wire-22-1cs.html

If anyone has a better source, I'm open to suggestions.

I also found these switches.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-LOT-TEMCo...ller-Lever-Arm-SPDT-Snap-Action-/281563458468

Opinions and/or alternate recommendations on these would also be appreciated.

Thanks

Shielded wires is not a bad idea............ only ground one end of the shield to prevent a ground loop.

I have crashed my computer while running my cue monster CNC by vacuuming the chips while it was cutting.......... static electricity can cause problems.............

Kim
 

mortuarymike-nv

mortuarymike-nv
Silver Member
sheided cable

Shielded wires is not a bad idea............ only ground one end of the shield to prevent a ground loop.

I have crashed my computer while running my cue monster CNC by vacuuming the chips while it was cutting.......... static electricity can cause problems.............

Kim

I have had my wireless Internet router crash my CNC control panel...
And the dust removal system.... and the router that is mounted in the CNC.
 

LGSM3

Jake<built cues for fun
Silver Member
I wouldn't worry about shielded cable unless you just have ghetto wiring with 120/230 AC lines very near the 540. I think you can just go common to input via the rocker switch and be just fine with the 540.

I would suggest possibly an inductive or flag switch for homing but the mechanical switch in your link will certainly be the easiest and plenty good for limits.

A lot of people opt for accurate home switches and then utilize machs soft limits. Most stepper motors won't destroy anything if they crash
 

dzcues

newbie
Silver Member
I used 18 gauge, 3 conductor shielded cable for my inductive home switches & have had absolutely zero problems. My choice was based on 2 things:
1. It was available cheap locally since it was the end of a roll.
2. It's overkill. I love overkill.

And, as Jake suggests, instead of using limit switches, I set up Mach's soft limits & they are perfectly reliable.
 

GBCues

Damn, still .002 TIR!
Gold Member
Silver Member
The switches seem to be good quality. I guess my concern might be size. At 1.95"L x 1.29"H x .70"W they are bigger than the ones I'm used to using. Given that it is a Taig mill, you might make sure you have room for them.
My 2 cents,
Gary

P.S. Had to note Dzuricky's comment "It's overkill. I love overkill." Really? LOL
 

pescadoman

Randy
Silver Member
I used 18 gauge, 3 conductor shielded cable for my inductive home switches & have had absolutely zero problems. My choice was based on 2 things:
1. It was available cheap locally since it was the end of a roll.
2. It's overkill. I love overkill.

And, as Jake suggests, instead of using limit switches, I set up Mach's soft limits & they are perfectly reliable.

I bought overkill shielded wires for my spindles. So overkill that they won't fit inside the stupid strain reliefs going into the motors. I am a frikken genius
 

Facundus Cues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am on my 3rd self built CNC and have tried several options. My first one was with unshielded wire and had a ton of issues with limit switches tripping by themselves and all sorts of weird things. Look at cncrouterparts.com. They are awesome to deal with and have premade shielded cables. Also http://www.soigeneris.com . He is a great guy to deal with.
 
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