Wiring Guide; Wire Routing Guidelines; Common Causes Of Wiring Damage; Potential Results Of Wiring Damage - Invacare TDX SP2 Series Service Manual

Invacare® TDX® SP2 Series

5 Wiring Guide

The following are guidelines ONLY. Location of
electronic components and wiring may vary from
power wheelchair to power wheelchair according
to power wheelchair model, manufacturing date,
options or accessories.
Decisions regarding routing and securing of wires
and cables should only be made by a qualified
technician.
If technical questions or problems arise, contact
Invacare Technical Service.
In this manual the terms "wire" or "wiring"
describe any cable, lead, cord or wire used to
connect an electronic or powered device to the
power wheelchair batteries, charger or other
electronic component.

5.1 Wire Routing Guidelines

It is important to follow these basic wiring guidelines
when installing, adding, repositioning or replacing wiring
of electronic components such as the power module,
motors, remotes, switches or accessory/seating control
boxes. This manual points out common procedures and
techniques involved in the safe installation, repositioning
or maintenance of power wheelchair wiring.
Installation, repositioning or maintenance of power
wheelchair wiring requires close attention to ensure wiring
does not interfere with the safe operation of the power
wheelchair and to prevent damage to the wiring, the
power wheelchair and/or injury to the user.
Service personnel must be aware that the location and
wire routing and location of mounting hardware can affect
the following:
• User safety
• Performance of the power wheelchair or accessories
• Location of driver controls such as joysticks, switches
and displays
• Range of motion of accessories such as powered
seating and front riggings
Great care must be used to ensure all wiring is properly
routed and secured to the power wheelchair to minimize
risk of pinched or damaged wiring and to prevent loose
wiring from snagging on objects around the power
wheelchair.
Before attempting to reposition, remove or replace any
existing wiring, note the position and orientation of the
following:
• Wire routing along the power wheelchair frame
• Location of tie-wraps and any other hardware securing
the wiring to the power wheelchair
• Location of wiring connections
Wiring should only be repositioned if necessary to make
an adjustment to fit the power wheelchair to the user or
if needed to add a new option. Otherwise wiring must be
reinstalled, routed and secured in the original path along
the power wheelchair frame.
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5.2 Common Causes of Wiring Damage

Improperly routed wiring may become damaged under the
following conditions:
• Wires left loose or improperly secured
• Wires routed through pinch points
• Wires secured too tightly to the power wheelchair
• Wiring improperly secured to moving parts
Ensure wiring has been properly secured to the power
wheelchair and has not been left loose or hanging from
the power wheelchair. Otherwise wiring could be snagged
or entangled during normal operation of power wheelchair.
Cables shall be inspected periodically to ensure that they
are routed and secured properly. Periodic inspection is
recommended as it may reveal loose and/or damaged
cables. Re-secure all loose cables and replace all damaged
cables by following the recommendations outlined in this
manual.
Moving parts of a power wheelchair such as powered
seating systems, power wheelchair suspension and side
frame/swing arm may cause a pinch point where wiring
could become cut or crushed resulting in damage to the
wire, power wheelchair or user. Avoid routing wires
through or near pinch points.
Wiring may also be damaged if improperly routed through
areas of repetitive motion such as a Quad Link or elevating
seat. Ensure wiring in these areas allow for full range of
motion without leaving excess wiring that could become
snagged or entangled while driving.

5.2.1 Potential Results of Wiring Damage

Failure to follow the guidelines to properly install
accessories or to route wiring may lead to:
• Poor performance of power wheelchair or accessories
• Intermittent electrical arcing or shorting
• Potential for smoking, melting or damage to wiring
• Electrical fires
• Personal injury or death of user or others
5.3 Common Pinch Points Related to
Wiring
The figures in this section show common pinch points and
areas to avoid when securing wiring to the wheelchair.
Fig. 5-1 Rear Suspension Pinch Points
1195667-E