07-05-2014, 08:11 AM
Hi,
Your question about the motor is a good one Bob and not easily answered. If as you say the motor doesn't have a nameplate or any identification it will be most difficult to identify it for a guy in a home workshop.
You say it is connected "star" at 440V? This then answers one question; its obviously a 3 phase motor but this doesn't reveal what speed or amps it is unless connected up then readings can be taken. If there are six wires from the windings then it can be connected in Delta and run through a VFD? Alternatively connected Delta a start and run capacitor could be connected and the motor run from a 13A socket but on reduced power. I've been running my big Startrite combination woodworking machine with it's three 3hp 3 phase 415v motors from our 240V supply for the last 14 years without difficulty all motors connected Delta and because only one function is used at a time only a single start and run capacitor was needed. The difficulty in doing this is establishing the correct run capacitor; the start capacitor isn't critical as long as it is big enough to start the motor because once the motor is up to speed then the start capacitor drops off-line.
It's interesting playing around with motors but I would never encourage novices to jump in because mains powered motors can be lethal and if a mistake is made it might be last mistake ever made. I've not received any electrical training regarding motors being self taught so please do not consider me an expert on the subject. My 24 years working at Brook Motors was spent in despatch/distribution/packing and timber departments only but obviously I've kept my eyes and ears open. For a novice is the circuit dead you are working on; are you positive because if the circuit is live and you make contact you might end up being the one dead?
Electric motors can be bought at reasonable prices through eBay or Gumtree but in order to buy a motor the specification will need to be known such as power and speed. One important thing which can so easily be overlooked is shaft diameter; if the motor is being installed into an old British made machine then the shaft diameter is likely to be imperial?
I sold my soda/hard media blaster through eBay yesterday and have just got it ready for collection this morning; I'll be sorry to see it go but in reality I can't see a use for it in the near future and it occupies quite a bit of space. I've spent a few months setting up the garage as my workshop trying to find homes for everything; my old workshop was one of the extension rooms to the bungalow (third bedroom) which is now being emptied and all the kit being transferred into the garage. I'll shortly be using the old workshop to store new sealed double glazing units which I'm currently researching before handing over the money. Yesterday afternoon I cut the grass to the rear garden then trimmed hedges to the front garden; there is always something to do to occupy my retirement (what retirement?).
Kind regards, Col.
Your question about the motor is a good one Bob and not easily answered. If as you say the motor doesn't have a nameplate or any identification it will be most difficult to identify it for a guy in a home workshop.
You say it is connected "star" at 440V? This then answers one question; its obviously a 3 phase motor but this doesn't reveal what speed or amps it is unless connected up then readings can be taken. If there are six wires from the windings then it can be connected in Delta and run through a VFD? Alternatively connected Delta a start and run capacitor could be connected and the motor run from a 13A socket but on reduced power. I've been running my big Startrite combination woodworking machine with it's three 3hp 3 phase 415v motors from our 240V supply for the last 14 years without difficulty all motors connected Delta and because only one function is used at a time only a single start and run capacitor was needed. The difficulty in doing this is establishing the correct run capacitor; the start capacitor isn't critical as long as it is big enough to start the motor because once the motor is up to speed then the start capacitor drops off-line.
It's interesting playing around with motors but I would never encourage novices to jump in because mains powered motors can be lethal and if a mistake is made it might be last mistake ever made. I've not received any electrical training regarding motors being self taught so please do not consider me an expert on the subject. My 24 years working at Brook Motors was spent in despatch/distribution/packing and timber departments only but obviously I've kept my eyes and ears open. For a novice is the circuit dead you are working on; are you positive because if the circuit is live and you make contact you might end up being the one dead?
Electric motors can be bought at reasonable prices through eBay or Gumtree but in order to buy a motor the specification will need to be known such as power and speed. One important thing which can so easily be overlooked is shaft diameter; if the motor is being installed into an old British made machine then the shaft diameter is likely to be imperial?
I sold my soda/hard media blaster through eBay yesterday and have just got it ready for collection this morning; I'll be sorry to see it go but in reality I can't see a use for it in the near future and it occupies quite a bit of space. I've spent a few months setting up the garage as my workshop trying to find homes for everything; my old workshop was one of the extension rooms to the bungalow (third bedroom) which is now being emptied and all the kit being transferred into the garage. I'll shortly be using the old workshop to store new sealed double glazing units which I'm currently researching before handing over the money. Yesterday afternoon I cut the grass to the rear garden then trimmed hedges to the front garden; there is always something to do to occupy my retirement (what retirement?).
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
