® MERLIN 6000 Plasma Cutting Master Power Supply A-01497 Service Manual Manual No. 0-2569 October 6, 1999...
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The publisher does not assume and hereby disclaims any liabil- ity to any party for any loss or damage caused by any error or omission in the MERLIN 6000 Plasma Cutting Master Power Supply Service Manual, whether such error results from negli- gence, accident, or any other cause.
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION ....................1 1.01 Notes, Cautions and Warnings ..............1 1.02 Important Safety Precautions ................ 1 1.03 Publications ....................2 1.04 Note, Attention et Avertissement ..............3 1.05 Precautions De Securite Importantes ............3 1.06 Documents De Reference ................
SECTION 1: GASES AND FUMES GENERAL INFORMATION Gases and fumes produced during the plasma cutting process can be dangerous and hazardous to your health. 1.01 Notes, Cautions and Warnings • Keep all fumes and gases from the breathing area. Throughout this manual, notes, cautions, and warnings Keep your head out of the welding fume plume.
• Install and maintain equipment according to NEC • To protect your eyes, always wear a welding hel- code, refer to item 9 in Subsection 1.03, Publica- met or shield. Also always wear safety glasses with tions. side shields, goggles or other protective eye wear. •...
8. NFPA Standard 51, OXYGEN-FUEL GAS SYSTEMS FOR WELDING, CUTTING AND ALLIED PRO- AVERTISSEMENT CESSES, obtainable from the National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269 9. NFPA Standard 70, NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, Toute procédure pouvant provoquer des blessures obtainable from the National Fire Protection Asso- de l’opérateur ou des autres personnes se trouvant ciation, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269...
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• Les sortes de gaz et de fumée provenant de l’arc de plasma dépendent du genre de métal utilisé, des INCENDIE ET EXPLOSION revêtements se trouvant sur le métal et des différents procédés. Vous devez prendre soin lorsque vous Les incendies et les explosions peuvent résulter des scories coupez ou soudez tout métal pouvant contenir un chaudes, des étincelles ou de l’arc de plasma.
• Utilisez la nuance de lentille qui est suggèrée dans 4. Norme ANSI Z87.1, PRATIQUES SURES POUR LA le recommendation qui suivent ANSI/ASC Z49.1: PROTECTION DES YEUX ET DU VISAGE AU TRAVAIL ET DANS LES ECOLES, disponible de Nuance Minimum Nuance Suggerée Courant Arc Protective Numéro...
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14. Norme AWSF4.1 de l’Association Américaine de Soudage, RECOMMANDATIONS DE PRA- TIQUES SURES POUR LA PRÉPARATION À LA COUPE ET AU SOUDAGE DE CONTENEURS ET TUYAUX AYANT RENFERMÉ DES PRODUITS DANGEREUX , disponible auprès de la American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL 33126 15.
Rigorous testing is incorporated into the manufacturing process to ensure the manufactured product meets or exceeds all design specifications. Thermal Dynamics has been manufacturing products for more than 30 years, and will continue to achieve excellence in our area of manufacture.
None Warranty repairs or replacement claims under this limited warranty must be submitted by an authorized Thermal Dynamics® repair facility within thirty (30) days of the repair. No transportation costs of any kind will be paid under this warranty. Transportation charges to send products to an authorized warranty repair facility shall be the responsibility of the customer.
C. Customer/Operator Responsibilities It is the customer/operators’ responsibility to maintain the equipment and peripheral Accessories provided by Thermal Dynamics in good operating order in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Operating Manual, and to protect the equipment from accidental or mali- cious damage.
DESCRIPTION 3.01 Scope of Manual This manual contains descriptions, operating instructions and basic maintenance procedures for the Merlin 6000 Plasma Cutting Master Power Supply. Service of this equipment is restricted to Thermal Dynamics trained per- sonnel; unqualified personnel are strictly cautioned against attempting repairs or adjustments not covered in this manual, at the risk of voiding the Warranty.
5. Duty Cycle 3.03 Specifications & Design Features 100% 6. Pilot Modes The following apply to the Master Power Supply only: Auto-Restart, Pre-Flow Delay, "Recycle Required" 1. Controls 7. CNC Signals ON/OFF Switch, Output Current Control, RUN/ SET/PURGE Switch, Secondary Gas Regulator, Enable, Start/Stop, OK-To-Move, Pilot Sensing Relay Plasma Gas Regulator, Secondary Mode Switch, Sec- (PSR), Full CNC Available with Remote...
13. Power Supply Dimensions NOTE Enclosure Only - For the arc to restart automatically, AUTO RE- START must be enabled at switch settings inside Width: 24.12 in (0.61 m) the Power Supply (Refer to Operating Manual 0- 2568, Section 4.07). Height: 38.38 in (0.98 m) D.
power to the main contactor. When the overheated C. Computer Control Cable Kits component cools down the switch will close again and For interfacing the power supply with a computer or allow operation of the system. auxiliary control device. Available in various cable G.
NOTE The troubleshooting contained in this manual is Coolant Filter Assembly for the Merlin 6000 Master Power Supply only. Troubleshooting other parts of the system is cov- ered in the separate manuals for that product. 4.02 Periodic Inspection &...
An Optional Remote Dual Meter with Hour Meter and Arc Starts Counter is available with all Merlin 6000 Sys- Coolant Hose tems. The meters are mounted to the front panel of the unit.
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Board (PCB) configures the power supply for Merlin 6000 PWM signals are sent to the Driver PC Board, where they operation (refer to Switching Control PCB description for are converted into the current and voltage levels needed details). to drive the switching transistor.
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Pulsing the pilot current allows higher transfer distances the capacitor discharge (CD) arc starting circuit to without increasing parts wear. The Merlin 6000 Pulser fire the spark gap producing the high voltage spark uses a transistor to momentarily short out a portion of which starts the DC pilot arc.
CUT RETRACT (%). There are also manual UP and surements. It is helpful for solving many of the common DOWN switches. The Standoff Control operates a problems that can arise with the Merlin 6000 Plasma Cut- lifter motor assembly moving the torch vertically to ting System.
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3. Locate your symptom in the appropriate Sub-Section. 6. Parallel cable not connected (Slave Power Supply) 4. Check the causes (easiest listed first) for the symptom. a. Install Parallel Cable 5. Check the remedies listed for each cause. 7. No ENABLE to Slave Power Supply 6.
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Turn ON the power supply, if gas flows, the torch 2. Faulty pressure switch, PS1 head is clogged. a. In the Merlin 6000, connect a jumper wire across • Secondary Gas not flowing? the Pressure Switch (PS1) CAUTION •...
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Turn ON the power supply, if gas flows, the torch 3. Faulty Logic PC Board head or leads are clogged. a. Refer to Section 4.05-J, Coolant Conductivity 6. Defective gas solenoids or control circuits Circuit. Replace Logic PC Board if necessary. a.
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O. No Pilot Arc; Pilot indicator ON; PCR Energized 4. Shorted torch lead a. Check and replace if necessary 1. Faulty Arc Start Box or Shorted torch 5. Dirty or wet torch lead a. Refer to Section 4.05-O, Pilot Circuit Check a.
4. Main current control on remote or front panel set too A. Voltage Selection PC Board Check The Merlin transformer has three input voltage ranges a. Main current may not be high enough for metal (200-230, 380-460 and 500-575) selected by buss bars. thickness being pierced.
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120 VAC Test Merlin 3000, 6000 or 6000GST RC6010 NOTE Switching Control PCB Refer to Appendix VII for 120 V AC Circuit Dia- gram. J37-17 J15-5 J50-12 J1-5 1. Check the voltage input from F2 (wire #10) to J6-9 for 100 - 120 VAC. Check the input from F2 to J6- 10 for 120 - 140 VAC.
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• If voltage is correct, then reinstall the connec- D. Motor Control Contactor Check (MC1, MC2 tors one at a time to isolate the problem. In the or MC3) case of a ribbon cable the cable itself may be NOTE shorted.
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b. Check for about 220VAC between wires #86 and low), disconnect one end of the diode and recheck. If #87 on Motor Contactor, MC3. the diode reading is not correct with one end discon- nected, then replace the diode. Check all diodes be- •...
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SOL5 Nitrogen Plasma G. Pressure Sensing Circuits SOL6 Oxygen Plasma The Merlin 6000 uses only a plasma gas pressure switch, SOL7 Argon/Hydrogen Plasma PS1, set for 35 psi (2.4 bar) and is located in the power supply. Normal operation is for one plasma gas solenoid to 1.
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measure wire #9 to J2-5. If there is no voltage at or no pressure on the Secondary Pressure Gauge can J2-5, see Section 4.05-A, Voltage Select PCB Test, indicate a problem with the secondary water solenoid, 120 VAC test. regulator, clogged torch head and leads or the water supply.
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The original Secondary Gas Select Switch, SW3, on The voltage is routed through the Power Supply the Merlin 6000 Front Panel is always set to the to J51-1, then to the Gas Control Connector, J63-1. GAS position and the Secondary Gas Select Switch, The voltage then is sent out to the Gas Control SW2, on the GC3000 front Panel is used instead.
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coolant flow indicator is not lit, replace the LED • If the START LED is ON, even momentarily, go to PC board. If J3-2 measures greater than +12 vdc, Section 4.05-N, Main Contactor (W) Control Cir- replace the Logic PC Board. cuit.
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nal. The signal goes to the Slave Power Supply for start. If it starts the problem is in the remote or CNC Logic PCB. Check for 0 vdc from TP1 (ground) to connections. If not refer to Section 4.05-K, Power Supply J4-9 on the Logic PCB.
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WARNING Rear of Front Panel Both base and emitter are at -320 vdc potential. Use extreme caution when testing Driver PC Board output. If switching pulses are present at J8-1 and J8-3, check the Driver PC Board output between J27-3, Q1 base, and J27- 2, Q1 emitter.
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c. If none of the above is cause of READY LED M). If contactor still drops out in less than 1/2 being OFF, then the Logic PCB is faulty. second, problem is not a loss of DC but may be a shorted torch.
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NOTE b. If the problem persists, bypass the RC6010 by removing the CNC cable and connecting a start Measure the voltage while attempting to cut as the switch into the TB2 Start input and operate it voltage may be correct prior to cutting. manually.
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tip to electrode voltage greater than 250 vdc. When the NOTE PCR contactor closes, power supply open circuit voltage There is a red LED indicator on the Arc Starter (280-350 volts) is connected across the torch plus (tip) and Box PC Board that will be ON when the 24 V AC is minus (electrode).
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pilot lead, under where the gas and coolant The Remote Control (RC 6010) has front panel con- hoses attach. The wire then goes to the Arc trols for OUTPUT AMPS and CSD. The upper and Starter Box and on to the torch tip lower limits of the current control range are set by the POT HI (+10 vdc) and POT LOW (+3.3 vdc) signals •...
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• Before cutting (preview) and with the three deci- put is 5.45 vdc for 150A and is sent to the Switching mals ON, the display indicates the CSD poten- Control PCB at J9-5 in each Power Supply. Each tiometer setting instead of the main current Switching Control PCB converts the voltage to 10 vdc control.
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tor, turns ON the three decimals in the VOLTS dis- For the Remote Control (RC 6010), measure for +48 play and prevents the Standoff Control (SC10) from +/-5 vdc from J37-16, 35 and 37 (+) to J37-15,34 and changing torch height. 36 (-).
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2. Locate and identify the pilot resistors (R16, R21 Slave Power Supplies: and R22) which are on a bracket in front of the • Merlin 6000 Master Power Supplies with the revi- fan. sion letter 'C' or later at the end of the serial num- ber on the data tag •...
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example, 410 VAC and the pilot resistor setting Pilot Resistor Clamp should be 9 ohms to have a good pilot. The next Wire #99 time the system is turned ON, the input AC line Wire voltage may have gone up to 420VAC causing the #96A Pilot Resistor pilot to sputter because 420VAC requires setting...
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The Isolation PCB in the Master Power Supply accom- plishes this using both digital and analog optoisolator intergated circuits (IC). A-01852 Pulser NOTE For a simplified diagram, refer to Appendix XXI, Parallel Interface Diagram. The circuits on each side of the isolation barrier require Wire #99 Wire #96 their own power supply.
This Section describes parts replacement procedures and move the failed PC board. all repairs which may be performed on the Merlin 6000 Master Power Supply. 6. Carefully open the ESD protective bag and remove the replacement PC board.
2. Loosen the two screws securing the bottom of the Side Panel to the base of the Power Supply. These WARNING two screws are in slotted holes in the Side Panel. 3. To remove the Side Panel from the Power Supply Disconnect primary power from the source before pull up and out on the Side Panel.
4. Place the replacement Current Knob on to the po- • LED/Current Control PC Board per paragraph tentiometer shaft with the location of the pointer 'D' above. the same as noted in step 1. 3. Remove the four screws securing the Access Panel 5.
5. On the top and bottom of the Radiator remove the 3. Disconnect the two wires connected to the Fuse six screws and star washers that secure the Radia- Holder. tor to the Front Panel. 3. Remove the two small screws securing the Fuse 6.
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3. Remove the Voltage Selection PC Board from the 6. Pull the old Secondary Water Solenoid Valve As- four PC Board Standoffs. sembly from the Rear Panel Assembly. 4. Install the replacement Voltage Selection PC Board 7. Install the replacement Secondary Water Solenoid Assembly by reversing the above procedure.
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6. Remove the hose connected to the 90° Adapter Fit- 5. Secure the end of the hose to prevent coolant from ting near the bottom side (outlet hole) of the Cool- draining out of the Coolant Tank. ant Tank. 6. Remove the four nuts, washers and long screws 7.
NOTE 5. Carefully slide the DC Inductor Assembly out the left side of the unit and onto the mechanical lift. The output of the replacement Check Valve should be pointing towards the rear of the unit when in- 6. Install the replacement DC Inductor Assembly by stalled.
2. Loosen the allen set screw securing the Coupling 2. Locate the Thermostat Assembly to be replaced to the shaft of the Motor Assembly. and place a clean rag under the copper support. This will prevent debris from getting into the trans- 3.
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A. Power Driver PC Board Kit Replacement Upper PC Board Guide The Power Driver PC Board Replacement Kit is a di- rect parts replacement for the failed Driver PC Board Securing Tab and Switching Transistor (Q1) Assemblies in the Power Supply. Driver PC Board WARNING...
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12. Note and label the wires connected to the Switch- 20. If the transistor thermstrate was not removed with ing Transistor Assembly. the transistor, it must be removed. NOTE 21. Clean the old transistor thermstrate from the tran- sistor mounting area. Verify that the Heatsink sur- The older style transistor will have two wire con- face under the transistor is smooth and free of de- nections to the transistor module and the newer...
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B. Auxiliary Transformer (T2) Assembly NOTE Replacement Be sure that the Pressure Gauge orientation is the same as noted before removal. 1. Remove the Left Side Panel per Section 5.04-A. E. Pressure Switch Replacement 2. Disconnect the wiring connector from the wiring harness at the Auxiliary Transformer Assembly.
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2. Disconnect the Torch connection to the fitting be- 2. Fasten the access cover open with string or rubber ing replaced at the Upper Chassis/Gauge Assem- band. bly. 3. Note where each connector is located on the old 3. Disconnect the gas Hose Assembly from the fitting Control Logic PC Board.
NOTE 5.10 Main Heatsink Assembly Parts Replacement The input of the replacement Check Valve should be pointing towards the rear of the unit when in- NOTE stalled. The output is designated by a symbol on the side of the part as shown in the following Fig- Refer to Section 6.09, Main Heatsink Assembly Re- ure.
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b. Position the thermal interface pad between the 1. Turn OFF main input power to the Power Supply diode and contact surface where the diode will both at the Power Supply ON/OFF switch and at be installed. the main power disconnect. 2.
2. Wait at least two minutes to allow the input ca- NOTE pacitors to discharge. Refer to Subsection 6.08, Upper Chassis Replace- 3. Open the Power Supply to gain access to the faulty ment Parts for part numbers and detail drawing. Diode Assembly.
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3. Disconnect the other end of the Hose Assembly F. Plasma Gas Hose (PLASMA GAS to T- from the Pump Assembly. Fitting) Assembly Replacement 4. Remove the Hose Assembly from the unit. The Plasma Gas Hose Assembly goes from the front panel PLASMA GAS connector to the T-Fitting on the 5.
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1. Drain the coolant from the Coolant Tank per Sec- NOTE tion 4.02-F. Refer to Subsection 6.08, Upper Chassis Replace- ment Parts for part numbers and detail drawing. CAUTIONS 1. Remove the Right Side Panel per Section 5.04-B. The coolant must be drained from the unit as the 2.
B. Returns If a Thermal Dynamics product must be returned for ser- vice, contact your Thermal Dynamics distributor. Mate- rials returned to Thermal Dynamics without proper au- thorization will not be accepted.
6.03 External Power Supply Replacement Parts List Item # Qty. Description Catalog # Complete Merlin 6000 Master Power Supply With Running Gear and Work Cable Without Gas Control 3-6800 With Gas Control 3-6802 Work Cable with Ring Lug - 25 ft (7.6 m)
9-3053 Oxygen Regulator 9-4379 Water Regulator (Not required if item #4 is used) 8-6118 The following are not shown: Merlin 6000 Slave Power Supply 3-6801 Master to Slave Parallel Cable 9-6800 Remote Arc Starter Box 3-6820 Plasma Gas Supply Line - 10 ft (3.0 m) 9-2146 Secondary Gas Supply Line - 10 ft (3.0 m)
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FI ND P LA LI FT LI FT S TA 0. 2 0. 3 0. 1 0. 4 P LY 0. 5 0. 75 N TR 0. 25 PI ER (in ch 0. 5 T. H .C . es ) 0.
APPENDIX II: SEQUENCE OF OPERATION BLOCK DIAGRAM ACTION ACTION ACTION ACTION RUN/SET/PURGE RUN/SET/PURGE Enable ON at Remote Close external switch to SET switch to RUN or TB2 disconnect switch ON/OFF switch to ON RESULT RESULT RESULT • Gas solenoids open, •...
APPENDIX III: TYPICAL MECHANIZED SYSTEM WORK AND GROUND CABLE CONNECTIONS Remote Control CNC Control Earth Standoff Control Ground Master Power 3-Phase Supply Input Work Cable Earth Ground Workpiece Slave Earth Power Ground Supply 3-Phase Input Work Cable A-01512 NOTE Work Cable(s) must connect direct to workpiece. DO NOT connect Work Cable(s) to earth ground and then to workpiece.
APPENDIX IV: TYPICAL MECHANIZED SYSTEM CABLE INTERCONNECTION DIAGRAM NOTE Refer to Appendix V for complete data on the Cables and Hoses. MASTER POWER SUPPLY RC 6010 Bulkhead RC 6010 Internal Ribbon Cable SC10 GAS CONTROL GC3000 3 Ø INPUT Parallel Cable SLAVE POWER SUPPLY 3 Ø...
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ARC STARTER BOX Arc Starter Control ARC STARTER PILOT CABLE SECONDARY GAS PLASMA GAS COOLANT COOLANT TORCH (-) CABLE SHIELD PILOT CABLE WORK CABLE WORKPIECE TORCH (-) CABLE WORK CABLE A-01517 Manual 0-2569 APPENDIX...
APPENDIX V: QUICK REFERENCE TO INTERCONNECTING CABLES AND HOSES Cable/Hose Diameter Cable Description Catalog # Inches Power Supply CNC Cable 25 ft (7.6 m) 8-3380 50 ft (15.2 m) 8-3381 75 ft (22.9 m) 8-3382 100 ft (30.5 m) 8-3383 Remote Control Cable 25 ft (7.6 m) 9-5961...
APPENDIX VI: RECOMMENDED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE FOR LIQUID COOLED PLASMA CUTTING SYSTEMS This schedule applies to all types of liquid cooled plasma cutting systems. Some systems will not have all the parts listed and those checks need not be performed. NOTE The actual frequency of maintenance may need to be adjusted according to...
SC 10 / RC 6010 Signal Flow Block Diagram Signals with SC 10 and RC 6010 Signals with SC 10 only Signals with RC 6010 only Merlin 6000 and 6000GST SC 10 Standoff Control CNC Control Master Power Supply START...
APPENDIX XI: START CIRCUIT DIAGRAM WITH STANDOFF CONTROL SC10 Start Circuit for Merlin 6000 and Merlin 6000GST with Remote Control RC 6010 and Standoff Control SC 10 Remote Control RC 6010 OPTO- Isolator CNC Controls J9-3 J29-3 START/STOP START J29-4...
APPENDIX XII: CURRENT CONTROL AND DISPLAY DIAGRAM Remote Control Cable Switching Control PCB Remote Control (RC6010) Master Power Supply Remote Pot High 10 VDC (86) J37-5 J15-20 J50-8 Remote Demand Output AMPS 3.3 - 10 VDC Adjustment (32) J37-21 J15-1 J7-17 Demand Signal 3.3 - 10 VDC...
APPENDIX XVIII: CNC INTERFACE CABLE Cable Connections Used With Remote Control RC6010 Remote Control CNC Cable Cutting Machine RC6010 * Refer to Remote Control RC6010 Manual for Station Select and CSD options 24 VAC Contact ** Source ** ** Selected inside the Remote Control RC6010 A-01514 Manual 0-2569...
APPENDIX XIX: PARALLEL CABLE Master Power Slave Power Cable Supply J54 Supply J15 DEMAND 3.3 - 10 VDC ENABLE START/STOP SLAVE IS ON SLAVE OUTPUT 0 - 10 VDC Signal Isolation PC Board Power Supply Shield Drain This Is Slave Remote Installed A-01516 APPENDIX...
APPENDIX XXI: PARALLEL INTERFACE DIAGRAM Slave Power Supply Master Power Supply Logic PCB +15 V. (123) J4-7 J4-9 (120) (124) J4-8 This is Slave J15-35 J4-10 (119) J3-29 This is Slave J15-36 Isolation PCB +15 V. J54-14 J15-17 Slave is On (131) J1-20 J71-1...
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Logic PCB +15 V. (123) J4-7 J4-8 J4-9 (120) J15-35 (124) This is Slave J4-10 (119) J3-29 This is Slave J15-36 +15 V. Slave is On J15-17 Slave is On J1-20 (129) J70-24 J4-4 (45) High sets Remote to Display 300A J4-3 14 V / 1 V J70-22...
APPENDIX XXIII: SYSTEM SCHEMATIC - Rev 'B' or Earlier A-01573 APPENDIX Manual 0-2569...
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NOTE System Schematic for units with the letter 'B' or earlier at the end of the serial number on the data tag. A-01573 Manual 0-2569 APPENDIX...
APPENDIX XXIV: SYSTEM SCHEMATIC - Rev 'C' or Later A-01947 APPENDIX Manual 0-2569...
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NOTE System Schematic for units with the letter 'C' or later at the end of the serial number on the data tag. A-01947 Manual 0-2569 APPENDIX...
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