Control Wiring Help

[wesley1]

Hey, I am an electrical contractor in North Florida. Unfortunately in 15 years of being in this trade I have had very limited experience with motor controls. I did work at a State Prison, luckily on the employeed side of the fence for 3 years. I self taught myself what little about control work I know. Now that I own my own bussiness I decided to work on my weakest points during this slow time. I was hoping that someone could give advice on what books or courses to help me and my employees with control. I realize that only experience can ultimately make a control expert. Last week it took me 3 hours to troubleshoot a bad alternating relay in a lift station control. Thats a little to much experience for something that should have took 15 minutes. Any advice any one has would be greatly appreciated.

 

[kspifldorf]

http://home.comcast.net/~ronaldrc/wsb/home.html

Also download the Constructor V8 CMH software and check out the interactive samples. I've had my guys working with it and they seem to like it. I went ahead and bought it.

I think the first link is someone from here in this forum. Good stuff too.

 

[Lcdrwalker]

Check out Mike Holts web site. There are some interesting books on diagrams and controls.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Square D has a download book that covers a lot of the motor control stuff...I don't have the link right now, but I am sure someone does.

 

[GMc]

I'm not sure if this is the download Don was mentioning but worth a try

GMc

 

[ptonsparky]

I use CMH and would recommend it. Right now I am having problems with the newest vs but expect that to be cleared up soon.

 

[tom baker]

Unless Mike has updated his motor control text, its out of date, and I would not recommend. The best book on motor controls is Electricians Guide to Motor Controls, published by American Technical Publishers.

 

[wesley1]

thanks

thanks

thanks you guys I am looking up these books and downloads right now.

 

[Mike01]

Chm??

Chm??

what is "CMH" and where can find it?

 

[ptonsparky]

http://www.cmhsoftware.com

Make sure to use the download wizard for updates.

 

[76nemo]

Look at this one.

Look at this one.

One of my favorites:


http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Troubleshooting-Electrical-Equipment-Professional/dp/0750662786

 

[rob@pitt]

rosenberg motor control

 

[Jraef]

Siemens offers a series of free classes on motor controls and other electrical equipment called "STEP" (Siemens Technical Education Program) courses.

You can either take them on-line interactively: On-line STEP class link, or you can download them as pdf files; Download STEP files

 

[RHJohnson]

I realize that only experience can ultimately make a control expert. Last week it took me 3 hours to troubleshoot a bad alternating relay in a lift station control. Thats a little to much experience for something that should have took 15 minutes. Any advice any one has would be greatly appreciated.

Hanging out your shingle as a CE, and doing work for which it appears you are not qualified? I would hope you did not charge the customer for your 3 hours of self training....

 

[jrannis]

Hanging out your shingle as a CE, and doing work for which it appears you are not qualified? I would hope you did not charge the customer for your 3 hours of self training....

That was kinda a bit of a cheap shot. The lift station was back up. If he learned something from it, his customer now has somebody that knows that piece of equipment. Not everyone has the support of a dozen engineers looking over their shoulder telling what button to push.

 

[ptonsparky]

I learn everyday at the expense of my customers although I have been known to back off an hour or two when a severe case of HUA syndrome was involved.