I bought a table saw at an estate sale. I got a good deal on it! I noticed after I got the saw home (I looked at it before I bought it, but didn't look close enough) and realized the plug appears to be a 220 plug. This won't work for me as I'm limited to 110; I'm a renter.

The plug has 3 prongs that are all vertical. The 3 prongs are in a triangular pattern. There are three wires: a black wire, a white wire, and a green wire. The green wire attaches to the upper prong.

Can I attach a regular 110 connector to the wires using the green wire as the ground without any dire consequences, or do I have to do some rewiring of the motor?

Thank you,
Charles Holloway
Eugene, OR

As I've gotten older and wiser, I have learned over the years that nothing is "a good deal" if you can't use it - but to your question, some 220v motors are 110v / 220v. Often there is a diagram on the motor's nameplate / or inside the cover to the line connections that gives alternate wiring schemes - but, I would not suggest your proposed solution - you may permanently damage the motor and there goes your good deal. You might also search the internet for a manual on your particular brand saw - or specs on the motor.

Three vertical terminals and a ground represent a 50A, 240V supply. That's one big saw!

As jgj6331 mentions, find the nameplate on the motor and see if the motor is dual voltage, such as 115/230, 120/240, etc. Also find the horsepower and/or running amps for each voltage rating.

If the motor is dual voltage, then there should be a diagram on the motor to show how the connections inside the connection box on the motor needs to be for either voltage.

One caution, the running amps at 120 volt will be doubled the running amps at 240 volts. So if the running amps is 10 amps at 240 volts,at 120 volts the running amps will be 20 amps.

I would be sure to find the nameplate and size everything from that information, rather than just assuming the plug is correct. Most likely the plug is not the correct plug for the amps or voltage.

If you did feed the 240 volt motor with 120 volt, the motor will probably only hum, and certainly not start and roll. No damage will be done, the motor just will not start.

Tk russell,

Thank you very much. That is the information I was looking for. If I put a 110 plug (a white and a black wire, with a green ground wire) and the motor doesn't run, it just doesn't run; I'll have to make adjustment accordingly like buy a new motor. If I blow up (or burn down) the house trying what I think will work, then that's a different story.

Charles
Eugene, Oregon

Charles,
Again, before you blow big bucks on a new motor - check to make sure it can't be wired for 110 / 115 v. If you can't find a diagram on your motor, take it to a motor repair shop (I would think they should have one in Eugene) and see if they can help you out. They may be privy to info you don't have...

Charles,

You could ask the power of the property if you can have two adjacent 110/120 breakers removed (if you are out of space on the panel) and a 220/240 breaker wire and outlet installed that meets current code levels by a licensed electrician for use with the saw only.

The worst he can tell you is no, but you might actually get an OK if you don't threaten to harm him/her.

This question is a year old and I am closing the post to any additional posts.

Please do not answer questions or add to posts that are older than a month.