To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Wiring a single phase 15amp 230v motor

Spunks

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
24
Location
MA
Hi guys, I need to wire up an outlet for my planer. I just want to make sure I'm doing it correctly. Whats a little confusing to me is that it has three wires and if a neutral is used.

Now do I install a double pole 15amp in the panel and using 10/2 (I had this laying around) attach both black and white to the breaker and ground to ground? No neutral needed? The three wires coming out of the motor switch is somewhat confusing me. If not this way, how should it be done?

I have photos of the motor plate, switch, and plug (I'm switching the plug to a 250V I bought at HD) on planer.

planer1.jpg

planer2.jpg

planer3.jpg

planer4.jpg


thanks
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Stuart in MN

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 8, 2005
Messages
23,156
Location
Minneapolis
The wiring is two hots and a ground, you don't need a neutral wire. The label on the motor says 15 amps, but that's what it's rated at when it's running - you want a larger circuit breaker, otherwise you'll get nuisance trips. A two pole 20 amp breaker should be okay. You only need to use #12 wire, but if you already have the #10 wire on hand go ahead and use it.
 

Bert_

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2016
Messages
9,771
Location
NW Iowa
That motor almost certainly won't start on a 15A breaker. Even a 20A breaker is marginal. #12 wire is also marginal, But I wouldn't be worried about that. NEC wants you to figure 17A for a 3hp motor which is puts it just over a #12 (figuring 125%). Nobody makes 3hp motors that draw that much anymore.

The cord has black, red and green because the manufacturer ordered a bunch of it. Stuff like that is not common in the field so we use the white wire and mark it black.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
S

Spunks

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
24
Location
MA
Hard to tell because your pics are so dark. Is that some type of magnetic starter or just a switch ??

Should just be two hots and a ground.

Just a switch I took the cover off for the pics if I understand your question correctly.


Did this come with an attachment plug?


No attachment plug.


So it sounds like I can use a double 20amp with the wiring I already have and be good. No neutral.

Also I forgot to mention that the green and red are whats coming from the motor but it looks like someone already figured that out.
 

mm08822

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
6,033
Location
NJ
Just a switch I took the cover off for the pics if I understand your question correctly.

Pics are too dark to add full value. Can you take another set with better lighting?

No attachment plug. What is shown in pic#2?


So it sounds like I can use a double 20amp with the wiring I already have and be good. No neutral. A 2pole 20A cb may still be marginal and trip on startup. You can try it. Don't be surprised if a 25a or 30a is needed.

Also I forgot to mention that the green and red are whats coming from the motor but it looks like someone already figured that out.

The green to the motor should connect to the motor housing. It should not be interrupted in any manner. I would be expecting the black and red conductors being interrupted by the contactor and those 2 providing 240vac to the motor.

If this planer will be cord connected, the plug needs to be rated for 3 hp.
 
OP
S

Spunks

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2014
Messages
24
Location
MA
The only thing that was changed was that plug on the planer (pic#2). I just showed that pic for the wiring it self at the end of the cord. As far as I know everything else is original. These are not made anymore and the switch looks just like others online. I'm not the original owner though.

I'm going to try a 20amp with a 20amp 250v plug and see what happens.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom