Electronics > Beginners
220V Motor Test Rig
Dumpsterholic:
Hi all.
I recently salvaged some parts from a dust collection system. After some hassle, I was able to isolate the hefty motor from the squirrel cage, and now I want to test it. I know that some motors like this one can be switched from 220 to 110 operation by means of jumpers on the motor, but this one doesn't have that, so it looks like I'm stuck with 220. Discussions here and elsewhere have convinced me that trying to power it with standard American 110V is not a good idea, even though it might work for awhile. Some have suggested using a VFD, which I don't have; I'm wondering if the answer isn't staring me in the face in the form of an outlet in my house that appears to be wired for 220.
Attached are some pics showing the motor and the outlet in question. If the outlet is wired correctly for 220, I should have two hots and a neutral, meaning that a volt meter connected between neutral and hot #1 should give a reading of 110V, and similarly, a meter connected between neutral and hot #2 should give the same reading; to power my motor I'd need the round plug to connect to neutral, and the other two plugs each to receive 110, adding up to 220. Have I got this more or less right?
rstofer:
Some houses have 220V dryer outlets (30 Amp?) and some have stove outlets (50 Amp?). As well, there may be a circuit for the HVAC condensing unit. Those are likely the only 220V outlets you have. Can you add a 2 pole breaker to the main panel or some sub panel?
That looks like a sizable motor, 2 HP? More? You will want to have it bolted down when you turn on the power. The starting torque will be considerable.
Dumpsterholic:
rstofer:
Thanks! Yeah, it's a monster; 3hp according to the label. My other pics failed to upload, so here's another, and a look at the outlet:
Don't know why the motor plate is upside down; honestly I'm in a lot of pain right now because I threw my back out. Maybe I shoulda left that critter in the Dumpster where I found it...
Anyways: My question is really how to go about testing a 220V outlet. I have a meter that supposedly is rated for 600V; can I just jam my leads willy-nilly into pairs of sockets until I get a reading of 220?
rstofer:
I think that is a 20A 125V receptacle 5-20R
https://www.platt.com/platt-electric-supply/Receptacles-Commercial-20-Amp-Single/Leviton/5801-I/product.aspx?zpid=35200
Bratster:
Yep, that is definitely a 120 volt outlet.
Go look at your breaker panel and see if there are any double pole breakers in it, that would tell you if you even have any 240-volt circuits in your house.
If you have an electric dryer outlet, as was suggested above that is the best way to go.
It's what I do at home, since I have a gas dryer I just leave a big extension cord plugged into the dryer outlet for me to run my welder and whatever a 240 volt devices I have.
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