CONNECTING CALTRAPS™ TO YOUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Caltrap™ received its name because it can be thought of as a device that "traps" harmonic currents between the drive and the trap itself. It is filtering out most of the damaging harmonic currents, keeping them from going upstream of the connection point. That is why harmonic filters are most useful when connected as close to the harmonic source as possible.

Connecting the Caltrap™ to the drive (or system) disconnect is the quickest and easiest way to connect your Caltrap™. But it is not the best way, because it allows harmonics on your drive cables, flowing from the drive to the Caltrap™ connection point.

Connecting the Caltrap™ to the drive input terminals is a better way to connect your Caltrap™ . The closer you connect the Caltrap™ to the drive, the more you are able to keep the harmonics out of the drive feed cables.

Connecting the Caltrap™ to the drive terminal and also adding a disconnect is the best way to connect your Caltrap™. Not only do you keep harmonic currents from the drive cables, you also have a means to disconnect the Caltrap™ from the drive circuit. This way, if maintenance is needed on the Caltrap™ , you can still run your own drive. This is particularly important if you cannot shut down your process any time you might want to - for example, in an injection molding operation.

Make sure you size your Caltrap™ disconnect, fuses and wiring by 135% of the rated current of the Caltrap™.