View Full Version : Change 220 motor to 110
wdixielou
Apr 22, 2007, 08:27 PM
After I have changed the motor per the diagram on the motor do I have to change the way the cord(plug in) is attached to the motor in any way? Can I just change the plug in to adapt to a 110 outlet?
tkrussell
Apr 23, 2007, 02:34 PM
The 120 volt plug should be different that the 220 volt plug. Each plug is rated for specific voltages. So if the motor needs a 15 amp 120 volt straight blade plug, you need a NEMA 5-15P plug, which is your standard every day plug,and wired accordingly with the hot, neutral, and equipment ground.
darkmas
Apr 27, 2007, 07:11 PM
BTW, be prepared to pay 2X the cost to run the same motor for an equal number of hours. Generally you want to convert single phase 110v motors to 220 when possible, not the other way 'round.
-Bill
tkrussell
Apr 28, 2007, 12:28 AM
Dark, could you show how a motor will cost more to run at 110 volts?
shuntripper
Apr 28, 2007, 07:06 PM
Hmm, won't let me agree with TK, but I do anyway. A real reason for stepping up to higher voltages is they pull less amperage to do the same work. True, this allows use of smaller wire but one real advantage is that you get more equipment out of a distribution point. Example: a 120/277V panel can have 16 120W lights pulling 1A each on a single 120V/20A CB. A 277/480V panel can have 36 on a 277V 20A CB. More than double the amount of area lit up. Another reason is big motors would be absolutely humungous (Spelling?) if they had to run on the lower voltages.
TheSavage
Apr 28, 2007, 07:43 PM
Hmm, won't let me agree with TK, but I do anyway. A real reason for stepping up to higher voltages is they pull less amperage to do the same work. True, this allows use of smaller wire but one real advantage is that you get more equipment out of a distribution point. Example: a 120/277V panel can have 16 120W lights pulling 1A each on a single 120V/20A CB. A 277/480V panel can have 36 on a 277V 20A CB. More than double the amount of area lit up. Another reason is big motors would be absolutely humungous (Spelling?) if they had to run on the lower voltages.
OK same situation you run 2 lines -120 v- = 16 bulbs each x2 = total 32 bulbs -- you would get the same # of bulb on a 240 20 amp breaker -- ohms law -- when you throw the 277 figure in there you confuse the issue for folks that are learning and that is not used in homes. -- Savage
shuntripper
Apr 30, 2007, 07:54 PM
But you had to actually apply the formula to see if my figure was correct didn't you? And you'll never get me to call a lamp a bulb. I'm not in the habit of speaking down to people. Ignorant people never ask questions, that's how they remain ignorant. And what is so difficult about the concept that the number 277 is greater than 120? It's a real world example. Give them some credit. Ohm's law still works the same way. How many 240V lamps have you ever seen anyway? Ballasts use the greater line voltages, not the lamps.