Hi, I have a 4 prong outlet that I was using for a stove. On the outlet it says 50A 125/250V


I want to plug in an electric motor but the plug is 3 prong. The sticker on the motor says 115/208-230 V. On the plug it says 50A - 250V.


Also, there's a sticker on my breaker box that says 120A. 120/240 VAC/C.A.


I turned the breaker off and took off the old outlet, exposing the 4 wires. I also looked around on YouTube and saw someone installing a 3 pronged outlet. They screwed the grounding wire to the back of the box and simply attached the rest of the wires to the outlet accordingly. But I wanted to ask someone before trying that. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Okay, it is not as simple as you think it is. Motors cannot be just dropped on a circuit.

To begin with, motors have a whole unit of electric code (Section 430 of the electrical code). The motor you have is dual voltage motor. It can be used as a 115 Volt motor or a 208/230 Volt motor, depending on how you wire the motor and the load the motor needs to drive. If the motor is going to have a heavy load on it, the 208/230 voltage is your best option.

You have to know the horsepower on the motor's plate (FLA) for Overcurrent protection. You need to know the code's horsepower (FLC) from the NEC Tables 430.25X) to determine correct conductor sizes. You need correct disconnect protections within the line of site (no more than 50' away)

To even begin with the evaluation we need to know whether this is a 3 phrase motor (color of the wires would be Red, Black and Blue if 3 phrase) or single phrase.

In short can you provide us with some more information on what you are trying to do and how you think you can do it.

Don, well said!

Oh wow I didn't realize there was so much to it, good thing I asked on forums first. here's a pic of the sticker on the motor. Also sorry for late reply.

http://i65.tinypic.com/2462stj.jpg

Thanks for the pic. Now, are you planning on using the low voltage (120 V) or the high voltage (208/230 V) connections.

That will have an effect on the conductors and upstream circuit breaker you need.

As to the receptacle, 250V means that the receptacle is listed for a max of 250 V +/- 10%.

I'll look at the code tables later, I have an appointment this morning.

Okay, from the panelboard to the motor controller you need to have a minimum of 14 /3 AWG conductors. The controller will need 15 Amp Dual Element Time Delay fuses one for each of the hot conductors (red/black).

From the motor controller to the motor's receptacle you will also need a minimum of 14/3 AWG conductors.

I think that's all oops, I forgot the Short Circuit Ground Fault breakers at the panelboard. I'll have to look them in a few minutes. Sorry for the delay.

Okay, the short circuit /ground fault circuit breakers are 15 Amp, one per hot (red/black) conductor.

One last thought, what is the amperage that your 250 V receptacle is connected to. Also, what is the voltage at the receptacle?

What are you using this for? This motor is used a lot for Boat Davits and Lifts.
20 Amp breaker for 120 or 240, could use a 10 amp Breaker for 240, 20 Amp is commonly used. Reversing is done by swapping the T5 and T8 connections. If only using 1 direction, Connect as show or reverse if wrong direction.
If needing Forward/Reverse, Up/Down, you will remove the 5 an 8 from the other wires.
Now you have 4 connections(120 volts for example)Look at diagram P2 and T3 will connect to L1. T2 and T4 will connect to L2. Now connecting T5 to L1, and T8 to L2 it will go 1 direction. Swapping 5 & 8 connection will be T8 to L1 and T5 to L2. Forward and reverse is commonly done with a Dayton Reversing Type switch(Drum Switch, and can be done with a triple pole double throw switch, You will need to wire an X across the connections same as a polarity switch. 4 pole is not needed as Neutral is needed in both directions. See if this link helps make more sense:

http://www.gemremotes.com/pdfs/GEM_WIRING_1-2MOTOR_2015.pdf
Had copied and wanted attached above, wouldn't let me Paste. Back in a minute to see if I can find the switches, Or use the Gem Remote small unit for Jet Skis and You can have wireless remote control ability.

I do not work or mean to endorse anyone, Just a solution to your problem.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dayton+drum+switch&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-SearchBox&tbm=isch&imgil=CLHS8InqZH021M%253A%253BrHqywFvjdeQxvM%253Bh ttp%25253A%25252F%25252Freadingrat.net%25252Fwirin g-diagram-for-drum-switch%25252Fim-trying-to-wire-a-dayton-2x440a-drum-switch-foward-and-reverse-6%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=CLHS8InqZH021M%253A%252CrHqywFvjdeQxvM%252C_&usg=__c9tTXgtB_Hk6BMtWJohtihP9HuE%3D&biw=1366&bih=638&ved=0ahUKEwjmoei2qMjWAhUMz2MKHdXmAMoQyjcInQI&ei=VCXNWeanFIyejwPVzYPQDA#imgrc=CLHS8InqZH021M:&spf=1506616696234

Need Reversing? If Not I would use a Heavy duty 2 Pole switch.
Can help more, with more info.
Good Luck
You may need Limits or some type of safetys, What are you using it for?

alrighty I had to take a hiatus from this project for a while but I'm back at it. Thanks for all the replies so far. The motor came with a 2x72 belt grinder I got a while back. I also got an outlet and a cord/switch installed on the motor. Here are a few pics of my current situation.. the green switch is for the outlet I want to use
48896
48892
48893
48894
48895

Hi, Are you in Canada?

All I can see is your panelboard, which tells me that you have a 30 amp 2pole circuit.

Without proper protection between the end of this circuit and the actual connection to the motor you could end up burning out the motor.

There are two types of protection - Ground Fault / Short Circuit protection. This is for the feed coming from the panel to first connection point of the motor. This protection is a fast rise protection.

Overload protection is at the motor itself. This protects the motor from a slow rise in amps. It's there for when the motor has too much of a load on it or the motor binds up. If the motor keeps running the heat will cause the motor coils to burn.

Without seeing what you actually have and what you want this motor to do, we are stymied.

hi, thanks for reply and yes I'm in Canada. I want to use this motor on a 2x72 KMG belt grinder (knife making) here are the other pics:
http://i65.tinypic.com/tzlmx.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/n4k2h4.jpg
http://i67.tinypic.com/34e6zvq.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/2rgc602.jpg

Does it work now? Just wire for High Voltage, and change breaker to 20 Amps. 2 Pole Switch.