CMS Switch

[Samo]

Anybody know if there is a fuse or Thermal overload protection on the CMS switch?

Thanks, Sam

 

[Bohdan]

I have the earlier Basis unit and the switch has a fuse that I have managed to blow several times with the OF2200 and a power feed.

 

[tjbnwi]

Are you sure you have power to the unit? It is a magnetic switch, it will not close without power to the switch.

Incase of a power outage the CMS will not restart when power is restored until the switch is pushed.

Tom

 

[Slartibartfass]

I installed this on my CMS:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C4L3PS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Samo]

Thanks Guys,

Yeah Tom, 

I fried the electronics in the switch.  TS 75 in the CMS plugged into an extractor.  I was full height/depth into solid MDF.

So, I should have/do know better. 

Need a breaker? Fusible link plugged into CMS before extractor.  Has anyone done something like that?  The switch is $50 BTW.

Thanks, Sam

 

[Bohdan]

As far as I know there is no electronics in the switch. It is only a solenoid that is full on whenever the go button is pushed, so it can't be fried. The fuse holder on mine looks like a small black plastic slot screw that undoes a 1/4 turn to release a bayonet fitting.

 

[Samo]

Thank you, Bohdan.

I was told by Festool USA that our version of the CMS switch is electronic and not serviceable.  This is why the OF2200 is not an authorized tool with our CMS router plate and we also don't get the CMS Track Saw plate here.

I am thankful that I didn't fry my TS 75 or my CT but this is a Festool problem (Along with the other problem) and if you get a Compact Module, it is really only worth the investment when you use the whole system and have a rack to stack it in, IMHO.

I'm looking for a way to protect all the tools and the switch?  [member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member]

[attachimg=1] 

 

[Samo]

[attachimg=1]

 

[Rick Christopherson]

Samo, unfortunately, it doesn't look like I took any pictures of the switch when I had it apart. So I have to go by memory.

First off, I seriously doubt that you fried the actual switch itself. It's a 4-pole contactor with all 4 contacts in parallel (each contact is rated for the nameplate amperage). So it can handle far more amperage than the rating sticker suggests. I don't recall if there is an on-board fuse, but it wouldn't surprise me either. There is a small circuit board inside the switch Enclosure, but its main purpose is just to connect all 4 poles together. It is not "electronic" so to speak.

If the micro contactor was going to fail, it would fail in the On position if/when the contacts fused. However, to prevent this, the off button physically breaks the contacts even if they do fuse. It's a very robust switch for its size.

I suggest you open it up and look for a fuse, or look for a fried circuit pathway on the small circuit board.

 

[Samo]

10-4 Rick,

Thanks for chiming in. 

 

[Samo]

Okay,

Good news and bad news.  Good news is, I did not fry the switch.

The bad news is that I thought I did and wasted a bunch of my time and everyone else's. 

Here is how it played out:

Saw stops in the middle of the cut, turn off the tool at the switch and try to turn it back on.  Stand there for a few seconds and curse at myself.

Then I unplugged the CT and unhooked the trigger lock strap on the saw, waited awhile for everything to cool down. Plugged in the CT and turned it to manual and it worked.  Plugged it the TS 75 directly to the CT and pulled the trigger by hand and it worked.  So, the next step would have been to test the switch again with everything plugged back together.  Which I swore I did, but maybe my cell rang or something?  Any thermal protection had obviously cooled down and reset?  I googled Festool CMS Switch fuse and called service.

Anyway.  Thanks, everyone and if someone sees a fuse location?  Please let me know.

Cheers, Sam

[attachimg=1]

 

[Samo]

[attachimg=1]

 

[Slartibartfass]

I installed this on my CMS:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002C4L3PS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Just get this 20amp switch to bypass the Festool one and attach in the same location at the leg with some zip ties and off you go..

 

[Sparktrician]

[member=32690]Slartibartfass[/member], your link is not working. 

 

[Slartibartfass]

[member=32690]Slartibartfass[/member], your link is not working.

https://smile.amazon.com/MLCS-9078-...i&ie=UTF8&qid=1516548531&sr=1-1&keywords=MLCS+9078+20-Amp+Safety+Router+Table+Power+Switch

Here is a picture:

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

[attachimg=3]

 

[Vondawg]

It worked for me Willy but I already went with the switch you recommended and I’ve never looked back, solid ...thanks !

 

[Samo]

So, my pic of the switch turned upside down on the fog.  Sorry about that.

But is that a 16 amp rated switch?

Did anybody replace their switch after a failure? Or is it just an underrated switch causing thermal overload on the CT for the tool?

 

[Bohdan]

So, my pic of the switch turned upside down on the fog.  Sorry about that.

But is that a 16 amp rated switch?

Did anybody replace their switch after a failure? Or is it just an underrated switch causing thermal overload on the CT for the tool?

It looks like a switch with 4 x 16A contacts in parallel (designed for 16A 3phase + N) so it is by no means underrated as it is capable of switching 4x16=64A. The TS75 may have been overloaded and has drawn excess current. It shut down thru overheating and it was cooling down while you were looking at the CT.