Woodworking Tool Tips!
tips on searching...

search for articles and information...

Woodworking Tool Essentials

Search
Your Shopping Cart
Browse by Manufacturer
Browse Categories

A Magnetic Moment

Recent e-mail from a customer calls to my attention that it's very easy to be confused about what constitutes a "magnetic starter" and how to identify one on a machine. Here's what's what.

A "magnetic starter" is what I've often called a "safety switch". The word "starter" just means "switch", nothing fancier than that. "Magnetic" means there's an electromagnetic relay built into the switch which keeps it in the ON position when you punch the ON button. If power is interrupted, the electromagnet shuts down and the relay physically opens the circuit—so the switch is in the OFF position when power is restored.

On machines here in the store we have seen two kinds of magnetic starters: low voltage and high voltage. On machines with a low voltage starter (such as on Delta Unisaws up through the mid '90s or thereabouts), there's a large transformer box, separate from the switch, which sends easily managed low voltage to the switch itself. The switch activates a relay within the transformer box that sends high voltage to the machine's motor.

Most magnetic starters today are high voltage switches; incoming 220 volt current goes directly to the switch, eliminating the need for a separate, expensive transformer/relay box. This is good news, for as the cost comes down we should see more and more machines equipped with this excellent safety feature.

Zach Etheridge

Copyright © 1999 Highland Hardware, dba Highland Woodworking

Highland Social Media



Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty.
Wood Slicer resaw blade video
Woodworking Tool Sale

OUR NEW
Jan-Feb 2012 woodworking tool catalog is now available to browse online! CLICK THE IMAGE
TO BEGIN
Woodworking Tool Catalog
    LATEST TWITTER UPDATE
   
Woodturning Tools

Search Shopping Lists
Search Wish Lists
           

ABOUT TRUST ONLINE
McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams


HIGHLAND WOODWORKING a dependable source for the best woodworking tools, books, supplies and education for over 30 years - family owned and operated. We invite you to visit our Highland Woodworking Tool Blog.

Highland Affiliate Program
Highland Woodworking Tools Affiliate Program! Give your visitors access to one of the most trusted woodworking tool retailers.