Shielded wire for limit/home switches

Bill the Cat

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
 
Bill the Cat said:
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
Click to expand...

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
 
sheided cable

whammo57 said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
dzcues said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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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