Can I plug the 2200 into the festool vac ? Amp overload ?

[kwik]

The 2200 router is corded.  Is that intended to plug direct into a wall plug ?  Too much amperage draw for the ct vac ?

 

[wow]

The 2200 has only a slightly larger amperage draw (15 Amps) than the Kapex (13 Amps) which is routinely plugged into the Festool Dust Extractors.

I don't see a problem, but you might want to give a call to Festool service and ask them?

 

[peter halle]

The CT is designed to have the 2200 plugged in under most conditions because it will be rare that the 2200 will draw a full load while in operation.  This is a commonly asked question.  If you should end up tripping a breaker then you might need to operate the router from a circuit separate than the CT, but again that should be a rare situation.  You can also try reducing the speed on the router if your situation will allow.

Peter

 

[Nick C]

Use a 20A circuit if possible. In your workshop,  it's worth converting any 15A circuits you have to 20A. Not difficult.

 

[leer]

Use a 20A circuit if possible. In your workshop,  it's worth converting any 15A circuits you have to 20A. Not difficult.

It is not difficult if your wiring is not embedded in walls!  A 15A circuit is typically wired with 14ga. wire, and a 20A circuit requires 12ga. 

 

[SittingElf]

OK... this one needs a LOT more discussion!

I want to understand how it is "OK" to use the CT outlets for a number of tools when the CT's CLEARLY state a limitation of 3.7 amps for connected tools. This one has me buggered.

Please elucidate.

Frank

 

[wrightwoodwork]

I honestly don't know. Does the CT unit have an internal fuse for the outlet. Just a thought

 

[peter halle]

Frank,

I'll let someone jump into the explanation.  I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet.  I'll look for a thread or two in a minute.

Peter

 

[wow]

I have to post this in chunks, so expect an edit or three...

Using the CT36 as my example, the FestoolUSA website states:

With an industrial design for heavy use the CT is equipped with over 24 feet of 12 gauge cord.

From a theoretical standpoint, a 12 ga cord can handle 25 Amps at 120 volts. HOWEVER the NEC (National Electrical Code) limits a 12 ga cord to 20 Amps or ~2400 Watts. So the cord on the CT is more than adequate to the task.

The CT36 power consumption is stated as 2.9-10.0 Amps, 350-1200 Watts.

So the CT can draw as little as 2.9 Amps/350 Watts or as much as 10Amps/1200 Watts. BASED ONLY ON THE CORD SIZE you could plug in a tool that draws anywhere from 10 Amps/1200 Watts up to 17.1 Amps/2052 Watts.

None of the above addresses the limitations or design considerations of the auto-on circuitry. I am off to do some research on that and will report back shortly...

Annnnd I'm back. From the manual I found two relevant footnotes, which I have paraphrased for simplicity:

Footnote #1.    8.3 Amps (1000 Watts) is the medium value of power used by the DE for different operation conditions. The maximum power available to a tool under these conditions is 10 A (1200 Watts).

wow's note - 1000 Watts for the DE plus 1200 watts for the tool = 2200 Watts total

Footnote #2.      9.1 Amps (~1100 Watts) is the maximal rating of a connected power tool when the suction power is adjusted to the lowest suction power.

wow's note - 1200 Watts for the DE plus 1100 watts for the tool = 2300 Watts total

So the highest PUBLISHED available power numbers that I could find for a connected power tools is ~1200 Watts. But using these numbers, AND A CORD RATING OF 20 Amps:

• In the WORST CASE cited in footnote #2, you have a maximum of 9.1 Amps/~1100 Watts available. This case would probably occur when using something like the RO150 since it's more likely that you would dial back the suction on the DE. For reference, the RO150 has a maximum current draw of 6 Amps/720 Watts.

• In the case cited in footnote #1, using 'medium' or average suction settings, you have a THEORETICAL  11.7 Amps/~1400 Watts available, although Festool states 10 Amps (1200 W). I do not know a reason for the difference.

• Festool does not cite a 'best case' scenario, but DOES state a minimum current draw spec of 2.9 Amps. I think it's logical to assume that this occurs with a new bag, a large diameter hose, and a short run of hose - all planned to minimize obstruction to the airflow. Under this perfect/ideal/downhill and with wind (you get the idea) 'best case' scenario the THEORETICAL value of power available at the receptacle is 17.1 Amps/2052 Watts.

NOTE: I could not find anything - anywhere - that specified a maximum draw for an attached tool, except the particular cases in Footnote #1 and #2 cited above. I will keep digging, and may even give Festool service a call tomorrow and see if they are aware of any 'internal' limitations that might affect my numbers.

 

[tjbnwi]

OK... this one needs a LOT more discussion!

I want to understand how it is "OK" to use the CT outlets for a number of tools when the CT's CLEARLY state a limitation of 3.7 amps for connected tools. This one has me buggered.

Please elucidate.

Frank

My guess is the circuitry in the CT will handle a 15-20 amp load on the receptacles. The new CT's have a NEMA 5-15 plug. Once you deduct the CT draw you have whats left for the receptacle (a very simplified explanation). Load on the receptacle varies with suction setting 3.7 to 9.1 amps as stated in note 2 of the instruction manual.

Look at the CT 22/33, the receptacle was rated @ 1200 watts (10 amps), my guess is the only difference in the circuitry is the NEMA 5-20 plug on the older CT's.

I plug my CMS with the 2200 into my CT 36 AC all the time. Never had an issue. All of the common circuits are 20 amp in the shop.

Tom

 

[Rick Christopherson]

This message brought to you by your good friends at:
[attachimg=1]

UL 1017 (Standard for Safety: Vacuum Cleaners, Blower Cleaners, and Household Floor Finishing Machines) Section 9.4.18 requires a sticker near the receptacle outlet to list the maximum amperage (or wattage) of the connected load. Unfortunately, the determination of that "sticker value" is based on technicality not actuality.

No single product with a NEMA 5-15 plug is permitted to draw more than 12 amps from the 15-amp receptacle to which it is connected. The unfortunate oversight here is that in the United States, a 20-amp circuit can utilize NEMA 5-15 receptacles. So there are 2 technicalities in play here.

You have a circuit that can potentially utilize 20 amps, but the sticker placed on the vacuum cannot list the total draw for the vac and tool to be more than 12 amps.

The internal components of the CT vacuum are capable of handling the full power of the receptacle, but a UL technicality forces the sticker to state a de-rated power of the maximum draw of the vacuum plus tool to be less than 1440 watts.

 

[wow]

I knew you'd have to respond here, Rick!

[big grin]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom, as always. So to clarify - and please correct me if I am wrong:

• UL states that the maximum current that you can draw is 12 Amps / ~1400 Watts due to their 'rules'*

• Electrically, the CT design is capable of delivering up to 17.1 Amps/2052 Watts (or any combination of CT draw and tool draw that doesn't exceed 20 Amps / ~2400 Watts) to the auto-on receptacle without damaging the CT circuitry. It's only because of UL that it is 'rated' for less.

Does that sum it up?

* This is another reason why I *hate* UL.

 

[City2000]

I do this everyday at work.  i have tripped the breaker only once

 

[Sparktrician]

I have no hesitation to plug my OF 2200 directly into my CT 22.  That having been said, whenever I'm routing with large-diameter bits that will make the router draw more power, I plug the OF 2200 into a separate circuit that is rated at 20 amps, just to be on the safe side.