Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Jul 02, 2004 09:40pm | #1

   If the voltage is low enough to cause an obvious difference in the way the tools run, you should wait until the problem is corrected. 

   Motors running at less than full voltage will overheat.  You could probably safely take a quick crosscut on the saw, but an extended run of any tool will risk damaging the motor.  Because of the way power is fed to your house, the 220 volt circuit will also be under voltage if the 110 lines are. 

   Low voltage can damage a lot of devices in your home, it wouldn't hurt to unplug most everything in the house, including the refrigerator, until the problem is solved.

   John W.

2. 
   Elcoholic | Jul 02, 2004 10:28pm | #2

   No problem more or less.  Universal motors (with brushes or as in portable tools) can tolerate low voltage and in fact can be speed controled with a rheostat like those after-market router speed controllers found in the catalogs.  Induction motors on the otherhand will try to make their rated power so as voltage drops the current increases which will overheat the motor until the thermal overload or the circuit breaker trips.  However any motor that meets NEMA standards must operate under full load at +/- 10% of the rated voltage.  The rated voltage of motors is 115 and 230 V so 103.5 and 207 V are the points of concern for 120 and 240 V system voltages.  However in most situations you'd have to allmost stall your tablesaw to make it use all 3 hp of a 3hp motor.  If it's cutting OK don't sweat it.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   aakBoston | Jul 03, 2004 03:48am | #3

   Thanks for the info...fortunatly, the problem is already solved...the power company was out earlier and the grizzly is purring nicely.

3. 
   SRToolguy | Jul 05, 2004 05:55am | #4

   Your power problem could cause overheating problems but not usually until you drop below 100vac. Most manufacturer design their motors to run between 95 and 110 volts. What you need to be carefull of are your cordless tools. They can sense the loss of power in your shop and have been know to start revolutions in those situations....LOL..

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jul 06, 2004 04:07pm | #5

   Kinda like in "Maximum Overdrive"?   Not much of a plot, just a 'vehicle' for Demi Moore.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC