Power/voltage regulator for CNC?

ELBeau

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was watching a CNC video and they recommended having CNC equipment on its own circuit to avoid problems with power fluctuations and having the tools "dig in" to the workpiece.
Two questions:
1- Does anyone use a power/voltage regulator?
I saw one on sale at Comp USA that is meant for audio/video equipment, and another one that's just a voltage regulator.
2- Would you think either of these would be useful, or a waste of money?

http://www.compusa.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4197031&sku=A75-2071
http://www.amazon.com/APC-LE1200-12...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236111385&sr=8-2

Thanks for your time!
~Beau
 
I have my cnc setup on it's own breaker and the controller, computer and monitor are run thru a battery backup. I figure that way if I overload any other circuit in the shop I will not trip the power to the cnc. If the power blinks off for more than a second I will break off the cutter but the machine will not loose it's position. It will give me enough time to shut down the computer system so all I will have to do is replace the cutter and go when the power is back up. Luckily I have never had an issue but when I first got in my shop the power went off about 1-2 times a month for some reason. Chris.
 
I work in a CNC shop, we have phase converters for the 3 phase. 1 lathe , if you turn on the other inverter,it goes into e stop.
Another machine will just turn off, if there is a lightning strike nearby even if you don't see the lights blink. The bad part is if the machine has not been shut down and the settings saved, all the changes that were made are lost including the loaded programme.
So if there is lightning around, we just shut down the machine.
But power surges or glitches also screw things up.
A good steady powersupply certainly makes things alot better.
Neil
 
Voltage stabilizer

They were very commonly used in photo labs to keep light output from enlargers constant. You may find a bargain on one on Ebay or Craigs? They took fluctuating line voltage that varied from 95 to 140 volts and kept it constant at 110. You still need a surge suppressor though to prevent spikes.
 
Thanks

It looks like it can't hurt; I'll keep my eyes open.

Thanks for the input.
~Beau
 
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