Once you have your Amper Gateway and Aggregators Mounted, the next step is to install the sensors that will monitor your machine's current. In this article we will outline the steps to properly installing your sensors.
Sensor Placement
CNC Machines
If you are installing Amper onto a CNC machine, first you will have to open up the machine's power panel and identify the spindle motor controller(s). Most machines will have multiple controller modules, so it is necessary to identify the controller for your machines spindle, as well as the controllers for any sub-spindles if present.
The picture above shows the inside of a machine's power panel with the row of Servo/Spindle controllers. Once you have identified which of the three controller modules is for the machine's spindle/sub-spindles you will attach a sensor to one of the three phases of the power output.
Note that the sensor in the picture above is clamped onto only one of the three phases of the power output .
The above picture is an example of a machine with two spindles that need to be monitored. Once the correct spindle controllers are identified, one sensor is attached to a single wire on each controller's power output.
Example of a 600A sensor being attached to a spindle controller's power output.
Injection Molding
For most Injection Molding machines, the correct wire to attach the sensor to is on one of the following:
- Servo Motor Power Breaker Output
- Hydraulic Pump Motor Power Breaker Output
Sensor-Aggregator Connection
Once you have attached your sensors to the appropriate wires, plug the sensor cables into your Aggregator. Plug the sensor cables into the Aggregator starting with Port 1 and if you have multiple sensors, plug them into the subsequent ports (Port 2, then Port 3 and so on until all sensors are connected).
Verifying Connections
Now that all of the Amper components are connected, use this opportunity to verify all connections are properly made. Check for the following signs to verify the setup:
Gateway is powered on and holds a Green or Yellow Connection LED.
Aggregator has power light on (Bottom Left of device) and light under each utilized sensor port is illuminated.
The sensors are fully clamped shut around the machine wire
Once you have installed your sensors and verified all of the devices are connected, you are ready to send the installation information over to Amper. Please see our article Installation Form and Calibration to continue your installation.