I have bought a pottery wheel with an a/c single phase motor. The motor wiring has been disconnected and I'd like help to reconnect it. The wiring which went to the motor has just live and neutral. Earth is connected to the frame of the pottery wheel so that when mounted, the motor is therefore earthed.

Can anyone help with which terminals I connect L & N to? (see pics)

 

The wiring which went to the motor has just live and neutral.

Yet, the motor name plate reflects a 3 phase motor including both High and Low voltage connections. You are absolutely sure this motor was run on single phase Hot and Neutral? I see a N (Neutral) and U, V, and W connections using Red, Brown and Yellow telling me 3 phase.

Ron

 

Yet, the motor name plate reflects a 3 phase motor including both High and Low voltage connections. You are absolutely sure this motor was run on single phase Hot and Neutral?

Ron

that's what they told me but I guess they could've lied

 

How annoying. Presumably my only option is to replace the motor.

 

that's what they told me but I guess they could've lied

All I can say is the motor's name plate data tells me you have a 3 phase motor. That said, they do make single phase to 3 phase converters. The FLA (Full Load Amps) is 1.7 oe 3.0 depending on if the motor is used with low or high voltage. Anyway based on FLA you can use a converter. Just an option available to you.

Ron

 

The motor label states 3ph also, as Ron mentions, one option to run on three phase is a VFD with 1ph supply.

 

Yes, looks like a 3-phase motor. From the motor label, it can be connected in "star" for 380-415V supply or "delta" for 220-240V supply. This is normal for 3-phase motors.

In both cases the N terminal is not normally used for an external connection. In "star mode, it is the point where the 3 windings join. It is not used at all for "delta" connection.

Now, you say it powers a potters wheel. These are normally variable speed with a foot pedal to control the speed. Have you got any equipment to control the speed?

A modern way to control the speed of machines like this is to use a small VFD (variable speed drive). This usually runs from a single phase 230-240V AC supply and drives a 3-phase motor (like yours) connected in "delta" - low voltage mode (because you have a 230V single-phase supply).

I suspect that your wheel may have had a single phase motor originally but the motor has been changed so that a VFD can be used. Have you been supplied with the foot pedal and the VFD?

If not, then these can be bought. The VFD will be rated in kW to match the power rating of your motor. Often the motor label will say the kW rating. Yours does not seem to but from the "380-415V at 1.7A" it's going to be in the region of 0.5kW.

Then you will also need a foot pedal with a potentiometer inside. This is connected to the VFD and the VFD needs to be configured to use it. There will be other configurations required (min/max speed, acceleration, etc). Also, for safety you will need an isolation switch. All this needs to made waterproof because you will be splashing water about. You will need the help of someone who knows about these things to do a reliable and safe installation.

 

Thanks to you all. I'll have a look at the converter. (Can't believe I didn't think of that). The variable speed is achieved without electronics. The motor shaft is fitted with a large bullet shaped cone end. A foot pedal moves the position of a drive wheel which has a rubber belt which is set against the cone. It was common years ago apparently. If it doesn't work, it will almost certainly be possible for me to remove that, connect the motor directly to the drive shaft and use a VFD as you've suggested. I'll keep you posted

 

Yes. with the VFD it could be a simple pot for RPM control.