power ratings

[Good77696e]

Take the OF2200 router for example, it's drawing 2200 watts. How can you connect to the dust extraction outlet on a ct33 for example where it's max power rating for it's tool outlet is 1200 watts. It would seem that you need at least a 20 amp circuit for the router alone. I feel as though I'm missing something here... How are people configuring these to work with the dust extractors?

 

[Frank-Jan]

No configuration needed, just plug it in. The maximum power rating for the socket is 2400 Watts (at least it is where I live), the 1200Watts is the maximum the vac consumes itself at the highest setting.

There have been quite a few topics about this already, due to some legislation some countries have to advertise lower powerrating for the socket, I believe that for the 110V models in the UK it's even as low as 400 Watts, but those vacs won't give trouble when used with an OF2200 or Kapex.

 

[Distinctive Interiors]

I have an early CT11 dust extractor, and regularly use an OF2000 router and a DW625 router on it. Never had a problem with either.
I believe the max. power that can be pulled through the CT11 with UK specifications is 1800w. It has been working fine for more than 10 years.

Tim (Distinctive Interiors)

 

[peter halle]

There are threads here dealing with the technical aspects if you are really interested, but if you are just interested in the short answer, yes you can use the OF2200 thru the dust extractors without damaging either.  In the event that you trip a breaker while maxing out the capabilities of the router, then power the router and the dust extractor off of separate circuits.

Peter

 

[tbellemare]

Here the voltage is half what it is in Europe. The wire determines the allowable current (Amperage). Assuming that the European CT has the same wire harness as the U.S. CT, the U.S. CT can draw the same current, not double. The same current and half the voltage means 2400 watts in Europe is reduced to 1200 watts here.

'Just a theory...

I seriously doubt that the typical user here will draw more than 1200 watts with the OF 2200. It is possible though.

Tom

 

[AIPDX]

I had the same question. There was a reply from Festool service department cited in another thread. I tried to post the link to give credit to the person who shared this information, but  I got a message that I am not allowed to post links, even to the FOG. Therefore, I copied the text from that thread which I think was very clear and to the point.

Festool could have done a better job explaining  what can and cannot be connected to its dust extractors. It appears that they finally recognized that there is a disconnect between practice and manuals and have revised online versions of the manuals to indicate that 1200W load is allowed.

Using the Festool CT dust extractors with large Festool saws and routers.

The receptacle on the vacuum is rated at max 10 amps continuous duty. Our 12 and 13 amp tools are compatible because the MMC electronics front end prevents the machines from drawing any more than they need to make a cut. This is usually around 5 to 8 amps. Only when cutting very thick or hard material do they draw their full rating, and this is usually intermittent for short periods of time. Even the 15 amp OF2000 router idles at less than 10 amps, and only draws more when cutting heavy stock.

The vacuum is drawing 10 amps also,  and with the addition of a large tool running at full load, the combination may trip the mains circuit breaker of a common 15 amp household circuit. In this case the operator can adjust the speed control of the vacuum lower to reduce the draw of the vacuum motor. This is a feature not found on most other tool triggered vacuums. Also rarely found on other vacuums is the 12 gauge wire power cord (good for a total of 20 amps, or 2400 watts)  If a project requires lots of heavy cutting with any of these larger tools, it is best to plug in the tool and the dust extractor separately. The dust extractor can then be turned on with the MAN switch setting.

Yes, the Festool dust extractor is rated at a TOTAL of 2400 watts (20 amps)? 10 amps for the blower motor and 10 amps at the receptacle. All in all this is the strongest rating of any other tool triggered dust extractor available today. These ratings are as high as possible for a portable appliance in the USA today. In the USA, any 120 volt device rated at more than 2400 watts (or 20 amps @ 120 volts) is usually permanently wired into the mains by a certified electrician.

 

[semenza]

Hi  AIPDX,

    Welcome to the forum!  [smile]

    You should be able to post links now.  The message you received is part of a feature to help prevent spam posts.

Seth

 

[myrion]

So, from this, I can safely plug my Norwegian bought tools into the dust extractor I received from Denmark (the maximum will be a 1600W Bosch mitre saw with soft start)?

I ordered a vacuum cleaner from Denmark that I saw was rated at 2400W when I ordered it from the web shop, but when I took a closer look after unboxing it, I saw that the special old type-k power socket in the device had a sticker that said max 1100W. It seems that in Denmark and the Czech Republic the socket is rated at max 1100W, while in the rest of EU it is rated at 2400W. Does anybody know why? The TS55 plunge saw I received with the dust extractor is rated at 1200W, and uses the same socket we have in Norway (schuko socket), and I first thought the differences in the sockets were only on the physical level. Both countries use 230V-ish , so I do not understand the reason for the lower max rating. I assumed that the wiring in side the dust extractor was the same, and that it was just the socket that differed, and could be replaced by ordering a spare part before I saw the sticker and instructions in the manual.

 

[TelcoRandy]

I would really like to see a "Consolidated Q&A for" CT Vacuums/Dust Extractors.

I contacted Festool via their website a few weeks ago for the same response I'm reading now (they quickly called me and left a voicemail explaining what this post explains). I searched on the forums too but couldn't find any posts relevant to my question back then (I guess my search terms weren't good enough). There are so many questions that go unanswered in the manual. Most shop vacs can suck up water so long as you take the filter out of them. But Festool sells a sponge filter for water... Is this filter necessary? I know I'm asking the question in the wrong spot but I would really appreciate if someone could take the time to answer some common questions like these in a consolidated post.

Also when buying my CT 36 AC from Lee Valley, they weren't aware if Festool sells a 27mm to 36mm adapter for my 36mm hose that came with the CT 36 AC (so I could hook it up to my sander). I find out later through FOG that there are 3rd party accessories for this but none made by Festool.