How to identify 2 unmarked wires in a 12 lead wire motor?

Grave98

Joined Oct 12, 2024
7
Obviously T8 must connect someplace, RIGHT??? For the high voltage the two windings for each phase are connected in series, which is standard. For the low voltage the two windings for each phase will be in parallel. That is how dual voltage motors are done. Nothing is left open.
AND, on a 3-phase motor none of the wires connect to "ground", but only L1, L2, and L3. And the resistance between phases should all be the same.A resistance measurement between terminals should reveal that there are six separate windings. That will allow verifying if the drawings may possibly be correct or not. and there is no risk in taking a resistance measurement. And if the high voltage connection shown in post #12 is correct then the low voltage connection can not possibly be correct.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
28,510
THAT is a two-pole switch, commonly used for 220 volt single phase applications. So you could use it for breaking two of the three lines in a 3-phase application. It will work, and the function will be correct.
HOWEVER the flaw is that the entire motor windings remain at line potential even with the motor switched off. So while it may meet code requirements in some areas, I regard it as a poor choice because it keeps the entire motor windings subject to all of the damaging spikes that may arrive on the mains.

In the instance that happened to an installation that I was asked to service, that caused internal arcing in two 10HP sealed unit compressors in two rooftop AC systems, ultimately resulting in repair costs of many thousands of dollars.
ALL BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER CHOSE TO SAVE ABOUT $5 BY USING TWO POLE CONTACTORS INSTEAD OF THREE POLE CONTACTORS.
Thus my prejudice against cheapskate designs.
 

MisterBill2

Joined Jan 23, 2018
28,510
Ok thanks for all your help I will try that but I don't know if I will keep it.
Like I mentioned, switching two of the three lines will work, and will pass inspections in many areas. The complaint I have is that it leaves all of the motor windings connected to the mains voltage. In my specific installation the outside compressor is only a few feet from a 58 foot tall antenna support tower that has been subject to two direct lightning strikes in the past few years. So far I have been fortunate.
 
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