Hello,
We have now realized we need to activate 9 motors on our robot, but the problem is there are only 8 “large” ports (the red and black ones) on the PDU.
Is it okay (according to the rules and in general) to wire a jaguar to the one of the small ports? what will be the results? will we notice some changes in the motor behavior?
Also, are we allowed to use Victors this year?
if so - how about connecting them to the small ports?
Thank you very much.
Yes, you can. The “big” ports are for 40-amp breakers and are for handling the largest motors, like CIMs, 775s, etc… The smaller ones will run the jaguar and the motor the same when unloaded, but can only handle a 20 or 30 amp load depending on what breaker you use. This could mean not being able to hold at full current, or the breaker tripping if you use too large of a motor or run it under a lot of load
If you are using smaller motors, like window motors, I would put those on the smaller circuit.
Victor 884’s are allowed this year and will function as stated above if attached to a 20 or 30 amp circuit.
Both Jaguars and Victors (and Spikes) may be wired to the small ports on the PDB.
For Jaguars and Victors, the largest allowed circuit breaker in those small ports is 30 A (because that is the largest size of breaker provided that fits those slots). If you need 40 A, you must use a large port. For Spikes, it is 20 A.
See [R43] for full details.
Neat,
The breakers are meant to protect the wiring from catastrophic failure. The breakers are sized according to the minimum wire they are used with. A speed controller wired with #18 wire can be fed from a 20 amp breaker. Likewise, a 20 amp breaker could also be used with #10 wire. It is the minimum wire size that must be satisfied.
I would recommend you use the smaller breakers for smaller motors. Smaller Banebots, window motors and some of the AndyMark motors would fit into this category. Save the 40 amp slots for the motors that will be doing the most work like the CIMs in your drivetrain.
I don’t think 10 will fit in the smaller terminals. I think I read somewhere that they’re designed to fit 12 - 22 wire.
A #10 gauge wire will fit into the 20/30 amp slots on the PDB, it just takes a little time to get them in. As per the original question you can use a jag or victor 884 with the 20/30 amp power ports.
Max,
The #10 reference is meant to demonstrate the rules not the application.