OK so check this out! After the disgusting officiating by the Refs during the Ranger game I went too shop too vent. As you guys may know, I have been building a new enclosure for my Taig. The shop is a damn mess so I started cleaning up. I'm sweeping, putting tools away and my back is turned too my mill/computer area. All I hear is "Pooooooooooooof", I turn around all freaked out and my C11 BOB from cnc4pc is in flames! FLAMES! It's sparking, small flames and smoking. I immediately run over and just pull all plugs out of the wall.

So, I now look at the board and am in disbelief, everything was shut off. Computer off, C11 unplugged from comp, no power too it. The only thing plugged in was my coolant plug, but it's been plugged in for weeks now.

All I have to say is regardless if the the coolant plug was in, this should not have happened. Oh that just reminded me, my pump better not be damaged because it actually started too go on and coolant went all over the shop. Which gets me too another thing, THANK GOD i was in the shop. If I was not in there who knows what could have happened. I have papers all over my desk, the board is in a case that is right against the sheet-rock'd walls.


I'm utterly disturbed right now. I can't believe what happened. I need my machine running this week! All I have too say is that I hope this gets taken care of. I don't find myself responsible for this at all either. This too me is 100% a board malfunction where something went bad and allowed the board too fry and pass voltage through it.





I'm feeling sick....(flame2)

Damn. That sucks. It was indeed fortunate that you were there.

I have seen a number of complaints on here with CNC4PC boards blowing out rather frequently, but actual >flames< is something new - I wonder if CNC4PC started getting their electronics from MaxNC or something....

Hhahah Stepper, I am really nervous because I cannot afford a new board when this was clearly not my fault and I know the board is damaged. My god, if I was not in the shop.....


There were flames.


I hope this gets resolved, I emailed Arturo.

It will be interesting to see how this one turns out. I've seen switches that are underrated for the current they carry. They arc and spark and if the contacts get bad enough, don't open when you turn them off. So then they have voltage and current going thru them, they get hot, and so on. Is that what happened here? I don't know. My first thought would be that something conductive, like fluid, metal shavings, whatever floated in and settled on something bad. But if everything was off, the voltage should have been stopped at the switch. Unless they are using a spst switch and cutting the neutral and not the hot. I don't think that would be up to any code. It's a mystery shrouded by a conundrum wrapped in bacon. Was the board damaged? What part got hottest?

lol at the maxnc comment. From what I understand they wouldn't have enough power to actually start a fire. Smolder maybe. I'm just joking, I have one, it works fine for me.

I too have noticed several people blowing up their CNC4PC boards (doesn't matter what type).

Was the board connected to your computer? Might have broken that one too.

No, thank god. Thats the thing, nothing was plugged in but the coolant pump: the board controls my pump with m8 and m9 and I leave it plugged into the outlet of my strip because I have not found the need too unplug it. It does not say anywhere in the manual that you must unplug anything.

No shavings, coolant or anything on my board. Just heat I guess......



I'll take a picture: about an square inch was damaged, not a huge area, but still damaged and I'm not happy about it.

-Jason

Sorry to hear that. I think Arturro will take care of you though. I kill all power to my shop when I'm not in it. Circuit breaker takes care of that. I have been doing it that way for about 10 years now and it gives me some peace of mind.

You may have broken the wrong wire going to your relay. Left the hot @ full power all the time and then switched the neutral. If that hot finds another ground somehow, it's on then.
I will have a master switch in my system that I have to switch on to even allow the coolant pump to work. You might consider the same.
Keep us updated. I am considering a BOB with relays on board from them.

I'm glad you were there when it happened and averted any serious damage.

A couple of you have mentioned hearing of other problems with the products could you please be specific or give links?

Maybe this is a good time to remind future builders that if you short circuit normal Machine tool building standards, bad things can happen.
Some quick ways of doing things only result in low/under par performance, and this doesn't usually result in serious damage.
I am referring to putting all electrical/electronics in an suitable enclosure, wiring with suitable circuit protection.
And if an accepted E-stop circuit and disconnect is implemented, it will stop these potential dangerous kinds of things occurring.
If the low voltage electronics are kept live, at least a properly implemented E-stop will disconnect all high voltage power circuitry, when unattended.
And a sealed enclosure contains any fire hazard.
Al.

Would a ground fault interrupter work to stop things like this or would that be opening up a new can of worms?

Would a ground fault interrupter work to stop things like this or would that be opening up a new can of worms?

Not necessarily, but it would help, and sure not make it worse.
But a GFI only works when the circuit is referenced to ground.
Al.

hey guys go on ebay and look up napco p801 alarm systems. they are cheap and easy to use. you can hook up smoke and heat detectors plus have 6 zones for burg.

GFI=RCD? Maybe the coolant pump which was plugged in backfed through the relay (I say relay when really I like SSR') to the BOB (lot's of acronyms) then shorted out (not necessarily through an optoisolated connection) and fried the mans gear! It sure hurts to fry your gear :yes: How much is a new board? (presuming that's all that's fried)


















Had many drinks during that game sir?



I must buy one of these boards and let my insurance company know....

No specifics or links?

I have a C11G breakout board that I have been using a few months and have had no problems- zero. If there is a problem with any beyond the one mentioned in this thread I would really like to know and find out if there's a work-around or just what needs to be done. From my experience Arturo has been responsive to any questions I have had and I'm sure if there is a problem he would get it fixed.

No Arturo is a good guy, I like his products. Sometimes freaky things happen. Arturo is taking care of me, I e-mailed him last night.

This though now will make me shut off all power too everything.


-Jason

Hey Campers

Bring some marshmellows to the party.

The Slickster

Al, by sealed enclosure, you mean boxes around various PCB's right? Many will have holes for ventilation, you would want to keep these away from any unwanted flying things. Putting them in the same box with the mill would heighten that risk and any cooling fluid or oil and grease would make the problem worse.

Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not trying to nit pick. I'm a relative newbie (to this) and am just asking for clarification.

Well, that and I'm tired of the little reminder everytime I log in that says I haven't posted for a while. Actually, I'm killing two birds with one stone. ;)

Bill K.

See posts 8 to 12 here http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2055&highlight=acroloop
Normally the power supplies,relays, VFD are put in one enclosure and the controller can go in the operator pendant.
Al.

Speeds - really sorry to hear. Certainly hope this experience doesn't get you too down; I know we've all appreciated seeing your input on the 'zone so far.

Glad to hear you & your house is OK.

Thanks Tikka- Arturo is taking care of it and as long as I am back running, I'll be good. Also, it's funny because before I started the cleanup, I mounted the second door on my enclosure, WINDOWS will be installed sooner than I thought because of this great idea. And then 20 minutes later, my board goes :( It was scary and made me nervous. I'm not discouraged, just a little eerie about it.


-Jason

The best advice is to cut all power when not n use. This also applies when under battery power. Switches and circuit breakers can be life savers. I figured Arturo would do you right. I have ordered lots of things from him and will continue to do so.
Let us know what you do to remedy the issue.

New Board came! WooHoo, fast shipping! Only problem is, same set-up, modified Hal, Relay not working for pump. Ugh....:( I tried everything. it won't turn on VIA the board.\

-Jason