# Trusted shielded 16/3 and 16/4 suppliers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Spindle/VFD (Aftermarket/Unsupported)\ **Created:** [April 4, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/trusted-shielded-16-3-and-16-4-suppliers/12251 "2022-04-04T20:20:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 17
**Author:** ![349iq2345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/bb73d2/32.png) [@349iq2345](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/u/349iq2345)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 2:09pm UTC](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/trusted-shielded-16-3-and-16-4-suppliers/12251/17 "2022-12-19T14:09:21Z")
Hey Atroz, > [@Atroz](#): > > Just came across this and I was looking at Chainflex as well. Which series are you using? CF31 they say is for VFD but as far as I can tell it has a stiffer wire in it (less flex) but otherwise seems to be the same as CF6. I’ve also seen CF881 recommended here. What to select is one for **power** and that is **shielded**. Often this is to find in a category “ **for motor** ”. Also choosing a cable for **power chains** means you will have no sorrows if you install it on moving parts (as in a CNC). I think Tom used one with an additional signal wire because Tom’s spindle has a temperature sensor. > [@What is needed to wire up 2.2kw 220v Spindle and VFD?](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/what-is-needed-to-wire-up-2-2kw-220v-spindle-and-vfd/11123/2): > > You will need shielded **3+[PE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protective_earth)** cable for the three phase spindle. Cables especially made for drag chains are e. g. [LAPP ÖLFLEX® CLASSIC FD 810 CY](https://products.lappgroup.com/online-catalogue/power-and-control-cables/power-chain-applications/various-applications/oelflex-classic-fd-810-cy.html) or [IGUS chainflex®](https://www.igus.com/chainflex/bulk-cable). I use [LAPP ÖLFLEX® CLASSIC FD 810 CY](https://products.lappgroup.com/online-catalogue/power-and-control-cables/power-chain-applications/various-applications/oelflex-classic-fd-810-cy.html), in the strength 4 x 2.5 mm² (LAPP #0026271) for the 2.2 kW spindle or 4 x 1.5 mm² (LAPP #0026251) for a 1.5 kW spindle (=**shielded 3+[PE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protective_earth)**). > [@349iq2345](#): > > - On the output of the VFD, i.e. the **spindle cable** , you should use shielded **3+[PE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protective_earth)** for the three-phase spindle, like shown here: > > ![Spindle_Cable_3+PE_with_shield](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex022/uploads/onefinitycnc/original/2X/e/e227edbe91680d9a110b933bcd9fdb81cd454e89.jpeg) > _Image 1:_ A typical spindle cable for use in a power chain ([LAPP ÖLFLEX® CLASSIC FD 810 CY](https://products.lappgroup.com/online-catalogue/power-and-control-cables/power-chain-applications/various-applications/oelflex-classic-fd-810-cy.html)) > > See [this thread](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/what-is-needed-to-wire-up-2-2kw-220v-spindle-and-vfd/11123/2) for more information. > [@Proper Grounding; How have you grounded your frame?](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/proper-grounding-how-have-you-grounded-your-frame/12331/22): > > Note that even if [PE wire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protective_earth) and [cable shield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shielded_cable) are both connected to ground, they serve two different purposes. PE is crucial for electrical safety, and shield cannot replace the PE wire! ⚠ Therefore the reference to “16/3” in the topic’s title is dangerous: **NEVER connect a spindle without a [PE wire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protective_earth)!** Shield cannot replace a PE wire! > [@Drag Chain and wire gauge](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/drag-chain-and-wire-gauge/9038/6): > > Note that in engineering, wires are **not** measured in _wire diameter_ (as in American wire gauge), but in _cross-section area_, because the cross section of a wire is directly proportional to its strength and weight, and inversely proportional to its [resistance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistance). The cross-sectional area is also related to the maximum [current](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_(electricity)) that a wire can carry safely. Wire diameter rp. AWG is not. > > There is a nice comparison chart for American Wire Gauge to [IEC 60228](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60228) in this file: > > - [Comparison of SWG (red), AWG (blue) and IEC 60228 (black) wire gauge sizes from 0.03 to 200 mm² to scale on a 1 mm grid](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Comparison_wire_gauge_sizes.svg) – in the SVG file, hover over a size to highlight it Note that if you bought a cheap chinese kit, usually it comes with a so-called “aviation connector” and it is expected that you make the spindle cable yourself. I strongly advise against trying this. These connectors are not made for the use in power applications, and the problem with them is that their strain relief clamp usually will not allow cables of more than 7.8 mm wire diameter, which limits these “aviation connectors” to cables that are underdimensioned for the spindle’s current. The LAPP Ölflex spindle cable shown above (LAPP #0026251 for 1.5 kW spindle) is 9.9 mm in diameter and the LAPP #0026271 for 2.2 kW spindle is 11.8 mm in diameter (nearly half an inch), so no chance to get such a cable into such an “aviation connector”. Therefore for these cheap chinese spindle kits, I strongly recommend NOT to try to make your spindle cable yourself, especially because on top of it all, the connector is not made for [crimping](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crimp_(electrical)) the wires onto it, but it is a connector to be soldered. Since the connector and the cable both have a high mass, a soldering gun for electronics will not be enough, you will at least need a 80 W soldering gun with temperature sensor. E.g. the spindle connector for my spindle has contacts that get crimped, which is the usual way wires are connected to contacts in the industry. The connector is the > [@80mm upgrade cable question](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/80mm-upgrade-cable-question/10209/7): > > [Phoenix No. 1624537](https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us/?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1624537&library=usen&pcck=P-20-07-06-01&tab=1&selectedCategory=ALL) connector for ⌀ 10…12.5 mm cables at another shop, since my cable is 11.8 mm thick. > > Since Phoenix M17 connectors are sold without contacts, I was happy that at least the [Phoenix No. 1607658](https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us/?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1607658&library=usen&pcck=P-20-07-06-01&tab=1&selectedCategory=ALL) contacts I got fit wires with cross-section areas from 1 to 2.5 mm², so no problem here. > > Just the recommended crimp pliers for them, [SF-Z0025](https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us/?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1607452&library=usen&pcck=P&tab=1&selectedCategory=ALL) and [SF-Z0054](https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/us/?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=1615585&library=usen&pcck=P&tab=1&selectedCategory=ALL) are _a little pricey_, but what do you expect from crimping pliers that have a computer and a display in it. Happily our good old and world-renowned pliers manufacturer [Knipex](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knipex), pliers manufacturer since 1882, offers [crimp pliers for turned contacts](https://www.knipex.com/search?keys=turned) too, so I am happy to use the good old [Knipex 975264](https://www.knipex.com/products/crimping-pliers/four-mandrel-crimping-pliers-for-turned-contacts/four-mandrel-crimping-pliers-turned-contacts/975264) crimping pliers for it. Generally, [quote=“CommunityUser5, post:2, topic:15429”] **I always strongly recommend to buy the spindle cable with the spindle from the spindle manufacturer. [Reputable spindle manufacturers](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/spindles-lingering-questions/8643/6#high-frequency-spindles-in-europe-1) always offer this.** Many cheap chinese spindle/VFD kit vendors offer only a loose plug and a piece of cable for making the spindle cable yourself, but I can not recommend this. In the case your budget allows only for a cheap chinese spindle kit Note that the threads quoted above contain much information. You are not the first forum user to ask “Which spindle cable should I use?”, it’s a frequently asked question and many answers already dealt with that topic in the past. ✅ IMPORTANT NOTE: I would strongly advise against making your own spindle cable without reading this document: > [@What is needed to wire up 2.2kw 220v Spindle and VFD?](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/what-is-needed-to-wire-up-2-2kw-220v-spindle-and-vfd/11123/27): > > - [Begin with the End in Mind — Proper VFD Cable Termination (PDF)](https://www.southwire.com/medias/sys_master/related-pdfs/related-pdfs/he5/h8e/8868033429534/Begin-with-the-End-in-Mind-Proper-VFD-Cable-Termination.pdf) Ah I forgot, note that if you want to use a 110 V spindle, you got to know that there will flow double the current (in [A](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ampere)) than as with 220 V, for the same power! Double the current means double the cross-section area of the wire. Therefore everyone tries to avoid running high power applications on [girly power](https://youtu.be/jJ_OamX-PA8?t=1725) 🙂. > [@Current suggestions for Spindle for new Journeyman](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/current-suggestions-for-spindle-for-new-journeyman/13479/3): > > > [@Current suggestions for Spindle for new Journeyman](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/current-suggestions-for-spindle-for-new-journeyman/13479/1): > > > > I have the option of either 110 or 220. If there is no significant advantage to 220, I would go with 110 for the option of using in various locations. > > the difference between 110 V to 220 V models is that with same [power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power) rating (measured in Watts), both [VFD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-frequency_drive) and spindle suck **double the current** (measured in Ampères) **at 110 V** than they do at 220 V which means if you choose 110 V, you need wires with the double [cross-section area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60228) and also double the [current](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current) allowed for your circuit breaker. > [@Current suggestions for Spindle for new Journeyman](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/current-suggestions-for-spindle-for-new-journeyman/13479/3): > > **Note that in the U.S., many people** have [split-phase electricity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-phase_electric_power) (two 120 V phases shifted by 180°) which means even if they seem to have only 120 V outlets (which is between one hot and neutral) they usually **have 240 V in their homes** (between two hots of different phases) so an electrician can easily install a circuit with a 240 V outlet and circuit breaker. ⚠ Note that many chinese spindle suppliers **label their spindle as 2.2 kW spindles** while in real it’s just a 1.5 kW spindle, as [explained here](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/anyone-using-huanyang-gt-series-vfd/13083/12)! --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.onefinitycnc.com/t/trusted-shielded-16-3-and-16-4-suppliers/12251)._