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Controller Problem — Parallax Forums

Controller Problem

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2003-12-08 02:49 in General Discussion
I have developed a a couple of boards that I am using for industrial
control. The problem I am having is my stamp wants to reset after an
AC motor starter is energized. The way the boards are made I have
12VDC coil relay that are PCB mount and are driven by a transistor
that is driven by the stamp. Through a set of NO contact on the PCB
mount relay I am turning on a bigger motor starter. I have
disconnected all leads from the motor starter and have supplied the
stamp power by an external source. After pressing the starter in by
hand I still get the reset.

I normally use the boards as timers counter etc in a control cabinet
not to directly control an AC motor contactor. I have had this
problem 1 time before and used a isolation contactor(solid state)to
remedy the problem. I know I am picking up noise from the contacts
when they switch but remeding the problem is above my head. I have
all inputs on the boards opticaly isolated but not the outputs. I
don't think this will help in this situation? Also for information
the motor contactor is supplying power to a 480V 2HP motor.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mark Waddell

Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-06 18:06
    In a message dated 12/6/2003 12:59:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    mwaddell@s... writes:


    > I normally use the boards as timers counter etc in a control cabinet
    > not to directly control an AC motor contactor. I have had this
    > problem 1 time before and used a isolation contactor(solid state)to
    > remedy the problem. I know I am picking up noise from the contacts
    > when they switch but remeding the problem is above my head. I have
    > all inputs on the boards opticaly isolated but not the outputs. I
    > don't think this will help in this situation? Also for information
    > the motor contactor is supplying power to a 480V 2HP motor.
    >
    > Any help is much appreciated.
    >

    I would suggest you get the motor controller off the PCB, if that is where it
    is.
    The inductive kick of that thing is enough to reset the Stamp.
    Alternatively, get the Stamp away from the controller. Do you have a clamp
    diode on the
    transistor cthat closes the 12VDC relay?

    Sid


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-06 18:54
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Newzed@a... wrote:
    > In a message dated 12/6/2003 12:59:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    > mwaddell@s... writes:
    >
    >
    > > I normally use the boards as timers counter etc in a control
    cabinet
    > > not to directly control an AC motor contactor. I have had this
    > > problem 1 time before and used a isolation contactor(solid state)
    to
    > > remedy the problem. I know I am picking up noise from the
    contacts
    > > when they switch but remeding the problem is above my head. I
    have
    > > all inputs on the boards opticaly isolated but not the outputs.
    I
    > > don't think this will help in this situation? Also for
    information
    > > the motor contactor is supplying power to a 480V 2HP motor.
    > >
    > > Any help is much appreciated.
    > >
    >
    > I would suggest you get the motor controller off the PCB, if that
    is where it
    > is.
    > The inductive kick of that thing is enough to reset the Stamp.
    > Alternatively, get the Stamp away from the controller. Do you have
    a clamp diode on the
    > transistor cthat closes the 12VDC relay?
    >
    > Sid
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

    The controller and contactor are already seperate they are mounted in
    a control cabinet. They do have a common back plane they are mounted
    to. I did move the stamp away from the contactor and this helps. I
    also moved the power supply and this seems to help even more. I
    don't have a clamp diode on the transistor but when I disconnect the
    board with the transistor it helps none.

    I have a transformer that is dropping the 480 to 120 for a small
    switching power supply. I can get the machine to run if I use a 110
    outlet instead of the transformer. I still have to move the power
    suply away from the contactor though.

    Mark
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-06 19:41
    In a message dated 12/6/2003 1:56:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    mwaddell@s... writes:


    > The controller and contactor are already seperate they are mounted in
    > a control cabinet. They do have a common back plane they are mounted
    > to. I did move the stamp away from the contactor and this helps. I
    > also moved the power supply and this seems to help even more. I
    > don't have a clamp diode on the transistor but when I disconnect the
    > board with the transistor it helps none.
    >

    Good. You need a clamp diode on the transistor. The inductive kickback from
    the relay could burn it out. Connect across relay, cathode to plus side of
    relay, anode to ground. Next thing - is the 12 volts for the relay an isolated
    supply, or is it part of the power supply that is powering the Stamp?

    Sid


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-06 20:21
    >The problem I am having is my stamp wants to reset after an
    >AC motor starter is energized. The way the boards are made I have
    >12VDC coil relay that are PCB mount and are driven by a transistor
    >that is driven by the stamp. Through a set of NO contact on the PCB
    >mount relay I am turning on a bigger motor starter. I have
    >disconnected all leads from the motor starter and have supplied the
    >stamp power by an external source. After pressing the starter in by
    >hand I still get the reset.

    Have you increased the size of the capacitor on your 5 volt supply
    to >100uF in parallel with smaller values tantalum or ceramic, and
    also either connect the ATN input to ground, or pull it down with a
    resistor ~1kohm?

    -- Tracy
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-07 00:36
    --- mwaddell2 <mwaddell@s...> wrote:
    > I have developed a a couple of boards that I am
    > using for industrial
    > control. The problem I am having is my stamp wants
    > to reset after an
    > AC motor starter is energized. The way the boards
    > are made I have
    > 12VDC coil relay that are PCB mount and are driven
    > by a transistor
    > that is driven by the stamp. Through a set of NO

    <trimmed>

    Mark, do you have a resistor between the stamp and the
    transistor used to pwoer the relay?

    > remedy the problem. I know I am picking up noise
    > from the contacts
    > when they switch but remeding the problem is above
    > my head. I have

    <trimmed>

    You could try placing a diode in reverse of the coil
    leads on the relay.



    =====
    Chris Savage
    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    http://www.knightdesigns.com

    __________________________________
    Do you Yahoo!?
    New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing.
    http://photos.yahoo.com/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-07 01:32
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Chris Savage
    <knight_designs@y...> wrote:
    > --- mwaddell2 <mwaddell@s...> wrote:
    > > I have developed a a couple of boards that I am
    > > using for industrial
    > > control. The problem I am having is my stamp wants
    > > to reset after an
    > > AC motor starter is energized. The way the boards
    > > are made I have
    > > 12VDC coil relay that are PCB mount and are driven
    > > by a transistor
    > > that is driven by the stamp. Through a set of NO
    >
    > <trimmed>
    >
    > Mark, do you have a resistor between the stamp and the
    > transistor used to pwoer the relay?
    >
    > > remedy the problem. I know I am picking up noise
    > > from the contacts
    > > when they switch but remeding the problem is above
    > > my head. I have
    >
    > <trimmed>
    >
    > You could try placing a diode in reverse of the coil
    > leads on the relay.
    >
    >
    >
    > =====
    > Chris Savage
    > Knight Designs
    > 324 West Main Street
    > Montour Falls, NY 14865
    > (607) 535-6777
    >
    > http://www.knightdesigns.com
    >
    > __________________________________
    > Do you Yahoo!?
    > New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing.
    > http://photos.yahoo.com/


    Yes I do have a resistor between the transister and the stamp. The
    problem is from the arcing of the contacts of the 3 phase 480 volt
    line. I have disconnected the board that interfaces to the motor
    starter thew only thing the 2 circuits have in common is a common
    ground. I have the problem even when I push in the contactor by
    hand. The coil is not being used when I do this.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-07 01:48
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Newzed@a... wrote:
    > In a message dated 12/6/2003 1:56:31 PM Eastern Standard Time,
    > mwaddell@s... writes:
    >
    >
    > > The controller and contactor are already seperate they are
    mounted in
    > > a control cabinet. They do have a common back plane they are
    mounted
    > > to. I did move the stamp away from the contactor and this
    helps. I
    > > also moved the power supply and this seems to help even more. I
    > > don't have a clamp diode on the transistor but when I disconnect
    the
    > > board with the transistor it helps none.
    > >
    >
    > Good. You need a clamp diode on the transistor. The inductive
    kickback from
    > the relay could burn it out. Connect across relay, cathode to
    plus side of
    > relay, anode to ground. Next thing - is the 12 volts for the
    relay an isolated
    > supply, or is it part of the power supply that is powering the
    Stamp?
    >
    > Sid
    >
    >
    > [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
    The supply is not isolated. I have a transformer dropping 480V to
    120V and then it goes to a switching power supply 24VDC. The power
    supply for the stamp is a LM7805 that is being fed by the 24VDC
    supply.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-07 01:56
    --- In basicstamps@yahoogroups.com, Tracy Allen <tracy@e...> wrote:
    > >The problem I am having is my stamp wants to reset after an
    > >AC motor starter is energized. The way the boards are made I have
    > >12VDC coil relay that are PCB mount and are driven by a transistor
    > >that is driven by the stamp. Through a set of NO contact on the
    PCB
    > >mount relay I am turning on a bigger motor starter. I have
    > >disconnected all leads from the motor starter and have supplied
    the
    > >stamp power by an external source. After pressing the starter in
    by
    > >hand I still get the reset.
    >
    > Have you increased the size of the capacitor on your 5 volt supply
    > to >100uF in parallel with smaller values tantalum or ceramic, and
    > also either connect the ATN input to ground, or pull it down with
    a
    > resistor ~1kohm?
    >
    > -- Tracy

    The capacitor look close to what I have. Pulling the ATN line to
    ground I haven't done. I won't be back at work till monday
    hopefully! I will try this then.
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-07 21:49
    --- mwaddell2 <mwaddell@s...> wrote:
    > Yes I do have a resistor between the transister and
    > the stamp. The
    > problem is from the arcing of the contacts of the 3
    > phase 480 volt
    > line. I have disconnected the board that interfaces
    > to the motor
    > starter thew only thing the 2 circuits have in
    > common is a common
    > ground. I have the problem even when I push in the
    > contactor by
    > hand. The coil is not being used when I do this.

    I apologize, I thought you were disconnecting the
    power (AC) circuitry altogether and the relay was the
    only thing still connected. I see Tracy had a couple
    of good suggestions.




    =====
    Chris Savage
    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    http://www.knightdesigns.com

    __________________________________
    Do you Yahoo!?
    New Yahoo! Photos - easier uploading and sharing.
    http://photos.yahoo.com/
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2003-12-08 02:49
    HI,
    I do not know what the original question was, I must have missed it earlier.
    I routinely control 480 3PH circuitry with Stamps.

    You most likely need more filtering on the Stamp Power and I/O lines.
    I optically isolate everything and use Digital Noise Filters on all I/O lines.
    I use Murata-Erie DSS306-55Y5547. It looks like a 3 legged Capacitor. Ground
    the middle leg and feet the signal through the other 2 legs.
    This adds some costs to the design, but it is loads cheaper then the damage
    possible from a runaway machine, due to a locked up controller. (Or a slick
    Boston Lawyer.)

    Let me know if you need anymore help.

    Alan Bradford
    Plasma Technologies
    www.plasmatechnologies.com

    --- mwaddell2 <mwaddell@s...> wrote:
    > Yes I do have a resistor between the transister and
    > the stamp. The
    > problem is from the arcing of the contacts of the 3
    > phase 480 volt
    > line. I have disconnected the board that interfaces
    > to the motor
    > starter thew only thing the 2 circuits have in
    > common is a common
    > ground. I have the problem even when I push in the
    > contactor by
    > hand. The coil is not being used when I do this.

    I apologize, I thought you were disconnecting the
    power (AC) circuitry altogether and the relay was the
    only thing still connected. I see Tracy had a couple
    of good suggestions.




    =====
    Chris Savage
    Knight Designs
    324 West Main Street
    Montour Falls, NY 14865
    (607) 535-6777

    http://www.knightdesigns.com


    [noparse][[/noparse]Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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