Things You'll Need
Rotary phase converter
Three-phase fused disconnect
Insulated 12-gauge wire
Screwdriver
Three-phase 208-volt electric motors are less expensive and more efficient than 220-volt single-phase motors. For this reason, three-phase motors are common on industrial and restaurant equipment, while similar equipment can be difficult if not impossible to find with a single-phase motor. The difference in nominal voltage rating is small enough to be inconsequential, but the three-phase motor's requirement for a third power supply leg must be met. While there is no way to retain the three-phase motor's efficiency advantage without paying for a dedicated three-phase service line, devices are available to convert a three-phase motor to single-phase operation.
Step 1
Switch off the service panel breaker for the single-phase, 220-volt supply circuit.
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Step 2
Connect the black wire of the supply line to the T-1 input terminal of the three-phase disconnect. Connect the red wire to the T-2 input terminal, and connect the bare wire to the ground terminal of the three-phase disconnect.
Step 3
Connect a wire from the T-3 terminal of the phase converter to the T-3 input of the three-phase disconnect. Connect a second wire from the T-2 terminal of the phase converter to the T-2 output terminal of the disconnect. Connect a third wire from the T-1 terminal of the phase converter to the T-1 output terminal of the disconnect.
Step 4
Connect the T-1, T-2 and T-3 wires of the motor to the corresponding output terminals of the disconnect.
Step 5
Connect a ground wire from the chassis ground of the motor to the chassis ground of the phase converter, and thence to the ground connection of the three-phase disconnect.
Warning
Never attempt to work on a live circuit.
Connect the T-1 and T-2 phase converter terminals to the output terminals of the disconnect, never to the input. Otherwise, the phase converter will be energized even when the disconnect is off.
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