[m_a_daowd]

Hi,
I've just bought UQM PowerPhase 160 motor/inverter. (it's too close to UQM PowerPhase 135)

• UQM 160 model EM-PMI250-T160-245V.
• Inverter model EC-C1200D-600.

I don't have any wiring/connection diagram or user guide,
especially for the inverter.
1. did anyone have such data.
2. Did anyone of you do a project with such kind of motor?
thanks in advance.

 

[yorky321]

Do you still need help mate?

 

[remy_martian]

Wow...a somewhat useful 'bot

 

[yorky321]

Wow...a somewhat useful 'bot

Believe it or not hahah I'm actually not a bot. For an unrelated reason I was googling UQM Power phase pro 160 and came across this post. It was a couple of months ago now so I didn't know if OP still needed help. I can help out as I have a current experience with this motor and inverter

 

[Megatron451]

What the heck as I suppose to do with the two black wires that are between the High Voltage lines that go into UQM controller? Do they plug together, ground, communication, output of some type? The manual doesn't seem to cover what to do with those wires...

 

[yorky321]

What the heck as I suppose to do with the two black wires that are between the High Voltage lines that go into UQM controller? Do they plug together, ground, communication, output of some type? The manual doesn't seem to cover what to do with those wires...

They are interlock lines. There is a switch under the main top plate of the inverter that closes when you put the top plate back on. This can be used as a safety precaution in your system to open the contactors to your main battery supply. If you don't have an interlock circuit you can just ignore them. Interlock circuits are best practice however. If you need a drawing example of an interlock circuit let me know.

 

[Megatron451]

They are interlock lines. There is a switch under the main top plate of the inverter that closes when you put the top plate back on. This can be used as a safety precaution in your system to open the contactors to your main battery supply. If you don't have an interlock circuit you can just ignore them. Interlock circuits are best practice however. If you need a drawing example of an interlock circuit let me know.

OK, so I don't need to do anything with the two black wires pictured, and it looks like there are two plugs for the middle "interlock" and I don't need to connect anything to either of them?

 

[yorky321]

OK, so I don't need to do anything with the two black wires pictured, and it looks like there are two plugs for the middle "interlock" and I don't need to connect anything to either of them?

I'm not sure why, but UQM added two locations to connect the 2 pin connector. No you dont have to however, unless you're aware of the risks of playing around with 300v+ DC then I'd highly suggest looking into what a HVIL (High voltage interlock loop) circuit is. These two black wires just form a circuit through the switch.

High Voltage Interlock Loop in Electric Vehicle HVAC System

High voltage interlock loop system is required for all high-volt connection systems in electric vehicle & hybrid vehicles. An interlock device is a must-have for electric compressor and other subsystems that operate at high voltages.

www.guchen-eac.com

 

[Megatron451]

View attachment 127875

I see the switch, that makes sense. Above and below the switch box are two identical two-wire plugs. I have one of those plugged in through the stock HV cabling. What are the purpose of those plugs and what am I supposed to do with those wires? Do they need to be grounded, connected together, set to a switch, etc?

I appreciate the help.

 

[yorky321]

The switch becomes closed when you put the top plate back on. The purpose of the switch is to be used in a HVIL. For example if your contactors are closed and therefore system is live, what would happen if someone removed the top plate of the inverter? You would be exposed to ~350v DC which is potentially life threatening if touched. Therefore if you had this switch in line with your contactor enable circuit, if someone was to remove the top plate now, the contactor would automatically open and ensure that the supply is cut off from the inverter. This does not completely rule out the presence of voltage at the terminals as there are large capacitors inside the inverter, however it is a better situation to be in.

If you aren't planning on building in a HVIL into your EV build then you can do nothing with these wires, it will not affect the inverter from functioning. Again, there are two locations for these wires to be connected, as far as I am aware, both connection points act in the same way.

 

[remy_martian]

Those two wires needs to shut the contactors off in your HV battery box when you pull the lid off the HV wiring. Not optional.

 

[yorky321]

Those two wires needs to shut the contactors off in your HV battery box when you pull the lid off the HV wiring. Not optional.

Technically optional, but implementation is highly advisable

 

[remy_martian]

Sticking your tongue across the two HV battery leads is also technically optional. I don't know why you'd encourage reckless practices here by posting it's optional. It's not.

It's not optional at all....running your car at 48VDC is optional. Like a forklift does. Go get a forklift motor.

At 400VDC, you made a choice to not kill anyone by using a high voltage battery in your system -- you have to put interlocks in to shut the HV battery off to anything that gets exposed to HV outside the HV battery box.

 

[yorky321]

Sticking your tongue across the two HV battery leads is also technically optional. I don't know why you'd encourage reckless practices here by posting it's optional. It's not.

It's not optional at all....running your car at 48VDC is optional. Like a forklift does. Go get a forklift motor.

At 400VDC, you made a choice to not kill anyone by using a high voltage battery in your system -- you have to put interlocks in to shut the HV battery off to anything that gets exposed to HV outside the HV battery box.

Mate, I work for a company producing production EV's and some suppliers that make 350v components (For example 350v power steering pumps and air conditioning compressors) don't even include HVIL. I'm not saying that its right, its certainly not, but if you're building an electric vehicle greater than 48VDC then you need to be aware of the risks. Same goes for anyone servicing an EV should be aware of the risks.

I'm not here to dictate how someone builds their vehicle but to answer questions when asked. To be absolutely clear, I highly advise Megatron451 to investigate and implement a high voltage interlock loop into whatever project they are working on.

 

[remy_martian]

It's important to dictate safe practices to people who ask "what are these two wires for?" vs giving them the lazy option. They're the ones who'll pull a cover off a live 400VDC feed. Or their kid will when they're troubleshooting the project as a father/kid project. Then there's the next guy who buys the unfinished project...boobytraps everywhere?

 

[Megatron451]

I understand both sides, so I appreciate the feedback. I will use the wires inline with my Contactors, I'll even verify the HVIL will work correctly before the High Voltage is applied. At least that way I am confident I understand how it works.

I think this conversation is great, not just for me, but for everyone who will search and find this string to understand.