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I have a vacuum motor that I would like to hook up to my system. It is a 220v motor with two leads coming out of it. Black and blue (the schematic says black is the neutral and blue is the line). Can this be wired to work on 110? I'm kind of an idiot when it comes to power. If indeed it can't be wired that way can my vacuum switch be wired through this 220? If so, which wire do I want to swithch? Thanks in advance. Paul

Paul,

How is this off-topic ... Vacuum clamping relates big time.

I am not an electrician so I may not qualify to answer and may have some of the lingo wrong but I will give some input.

Only 2 wires for 220V. Hmmm. There should be 3, two hots and a neutral???? Are you sure it is 220v?

For 220v some guys will switch the neutral (hook that to your vacuum switch so that you only have one path to switch) It works, but that is not really safe as you will have voltage in your pump when it is not on. I used a contactor on my 220 pump. The vacuum switch makes the contactor “engage” The contactor is essentially elector-mechanical switch that has 2 separate contacts on it (one for each hot (leg))

When I loose vacuum the vacuum switch will engage. I use that path to turn on the contactor which will close the switches that supply the voltage to both hots of the pump.

If I could have found a 2 pole vacuum switch that could handle the current of my pump, I would have used that, but I did not find one, so this seemed to be the best solution.

Might be overkill, but I think it is better than having all the voltage hanging around on a motor that is off.

JO
johno38660.5653009259

Danger!! Will Robinson,
Never switch the neutral!
Only two wires are required to deliver 220v the neutral is used to split the two 110v halves, when running 220v there should be no current flow through the neutral lead.
I would use a double pole single throw switch to turn on and off both leads at once.Be sure to earth ground the motor case. If you are not comfortable get an electrician to do this as it can be very dangerous if you get it wrong. Remember you still have to pay the kids college bills.

PS If you only switch one lead the motor when off will be powered at 110v above ground waiting for you to complete the curcuit throgh your body.Keith M38660.885775463

Exactly what Kieth said!!!
I'm surprised that the schematic even mentions a neutral line. I urge caution... try to confirm that this motor is wired for 220V operation.

Dangerous stuff here. Definately switch both sides. Don't ask me how I know
Bobc38661.6593055556

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[QUOTE=Daniel M] Exactly what Kieth said!!!
I'm surprised that the schematic even mentions a neutral line. I urge caution... try to confirm that this motor is wired for 220V operation.[/QUOTE]

Daniel
I am wondering if this pump is from europe. They may have 440v split 220v each leg to neutral.Not sure just a guess.