Troubleshooting · General

Recommended Testing & Maintenance Equipment

Overview of recommended multimeters and test kits for troubleshooting Thunder Laser machines, including safety information and voltage references.

Injury, death, loss of property, fire, electric shock, malfunction, reduced performance & machine life, and critical failures can result from not reading, understanding, and following the Operation Manual.
Example Excerpt from Nova Manual Links to Machine Manuals
Example excerpt from Nova Manual

The machine must only be operated by trained and authorized personnel. The scopes of competence for the different activities in the scope of operating the machine must be clearly defined and observed, so that under the aspect of safety, no unclear questions of competence occur.

This applies in particular to activities on the electric equipment, which must only be performed by qualified personnel. For all activities concerning installation, set-up, start-up, operation, modifications of conditions and methods of operation, maintenance, inspection and repair, the switch-off procedures that may be provided in the Operation Manual must be observed.

Item Nova Series Odin Series Bolt Series Aurora Series
Mains 120vac 60hz 120vac 60hz 120vac 60hz 120vac 60hz
Control 24 VDC 24 VDC 24 VDC 24 VDC
Driver 36 VDC 36 VDC Up to 36 VDC 36 VDC
Laser Source ~30k VDC at peak 48 VDC 48 VDC 120V 60hz
MISC NA NA NA +-15 VDC for Source Signals

Besides the risk of electrocution, you must be mindful of the motion control components, peripherals, etc... as well as the laser beam itself. The moving parts of these systems can injure, pinch, trap, and even kill you so pay attention and, if you are not confident (or competent) to perform any of these task, you should consult someone who is.

A way to measure voltage, continuity, etc... is needed to perform some troubleshooting efficiently and safely.

Multi Meter Kit Picture of Kit with Link to Purchase
  • Available from Local Lowe's® store for around $35
  • True RMS Multimeter Measures AC/DC Voltage, DC Current, Resistance, Diode, Continuity and Batteries and has a safety rating of CAT III 600V
  • Non-Contact Voltage tester detects AC voltage range from 50-1000V and has a safety rating of CAT IV 1000V
  • NCV has an automatic self-test and both visual and audible indication
  • Receptacle Tester detects standard receptacles to ensure proper wiring.
  • Tests conditions: Open Ground, Reverse Polarity, Open Hot, Open Neutral and Hot/Ground Reverse
  • Test leads included for Multimeter
  • Batteries included for Multimeter and NCV
Kobalt Electrical Test Kit from Lowe's
  • Available from your Local Home Depot® Store for about $40
  • Multimeter measures up to 600V AC/DC voltage, 10A DC current and 2MOhms resistance
  • Non-Contact Voltage Tester Cat. No. NCVT1P has a bright green LED to indicate the tester is working; it changes to red and audible tones sound when voltage is detected
  • NCVT1P has a high intensity, bright red LED that illuminates and an audible tone when voltage is detected from 50 to 1000 VAC power operating range
  • Receptacle tester Cat. No. RT105 detects wiring configurations and indicates correct wiring, and identifies common wiring faults
  • Identifies open ground, open hot, open neutral, hot/ground reversed; it does not indicate quality of ground, multiple hot wires, or a combination of defects
  • MM300 multimeter tests continuity with visual and audible continuity indicators
  • Test leads included for Cat. No. MM300; batteries included for Cat. Nos. NCVT1P and MM300
Klein Tools Test Kit from Home Depot
  • Available from Amazon for about $31
  • VALUE PACK TEST KIT perfect test kit for home inspectors; electricians and home renovators Consists of Southwire's best-selling 600V manual-ranging multimeter; easy-to-use 120V AC outlet tester; and precise 90-1000v non-contact voltage detector
  • SAFE AND ACCURATE MULTIMETER with 7 useful functions Feel safe on the job knowing Southwire's multimeter is CAT III 300V safety rated
  • PRECISE NON-CONTACT VOLTAGE DETECTOR indicates the presence of voltage in a wire or light switch without touching it
  • BRIGHT RED LED and LOUD BEEPER indicate voltage detected
  • PLUG-IN OUTLET TESTER plugs into any 120V outlet and the LED lights identifies common wiring errors The small size won't take up much space and fits perfectly in your tool bag PLUG-IN OUTLET TESTER — Southwire's best design yet; super rugged with reinforced pins withstands a 65-foot drop HIGHEST CAT IV 1000V safety rating UL LISTED ELECTRICAL KIT 5-YEAR "No Hassle" WARRANTY A GREAT GIFT! WHAT'S INCLUDED: Multimeter; 9V battery; test leads; instruction manual; outlet tester; non-contact voltage detector; AAA batteries
Southwire Electrical Test Kit from Amazon

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