Introduction: Wiring Clothes Dryer (tumble Dryer) Motor
Wiring a clothes dryer (tumble dryer) motor, directly to a power outlet to use in other projects like: Sander, Bench grinder, big fan, attach mirrors to use in laser project........whatever you want!
This instructable is focused on how to wire the motor and how to change the motor direction.
This motor is an AC electric motor with a starting capacitor and 4 wires.
This motor was salvaged from a Clothes dryer (tumble dryer). I did a detailed instructable on how to salvage items from a clothes dryer, Please go check it out.
Please excuse any spelling and grammar mistakes, English is not my first language.
I hope you enjoy this instructable!
Step 1: Safety
My dad always used to say: "Using the right tool/s for the job, not only makes the job easier and faster but also SAFER".
You might encounter a big capacitor in this project, please take the necessary safety precautions (this includes finding out as much as possible about the capacitor attached to your motor!)
You will be working with HIGH voltage and current, please do not attempt if you don't have the knowledge!
You will need the following safety equipment:
1) Safety Gloves;
2) Safety Glasses;
3) Knowledge of working with high voltage and current;
4) Knowledge of working with starting capacitors in AC motors.
Step 2: Tools and Equipment
Since this instructable is only focused on how to wire the motor, you will only need a few items:
1) The motor;
2) Side cutter;
3) Wires;
4) Isolation tape;
5) Wall socket for power.
Step 3: How to Wire the Motor
The motor, the wires and the plug was salvaged from a clothes dryer (tumble dryer) and you can view the details on how to salvage this and other items from my other instructable on that.
The plug that I salvaged has 3 wires (Live, Neutral and Earth), Brown, Blue, Green/Yellow. See photo 1 and 2.
........but the motor has 3 wires going into it, 1 earth wire.....that makes 4......
The motor also has 2 wires going to the capacitor.....
Don't stress......It is actually quite simple!
Photo 3 and 4 shows the 3 wires going into the motor. Blue, White and Red.
The Blue and Red wires going into the motor, are both Live.......
The White wire going into the motor, is Neutral....
This means that your Blue wire on your plug must be connected to the White wire on the motor. See photo 5.
The Brown wire on your plug can be connected to either the Red or the Blue wire on your motor. See photo 6.
Essentially the Blue and Red wires on the motor are the directional wires. The one will make the motor turn clockwise and the other will make it turn anticlockwise. You cannot connect both at the same time!
The Green/Yellow wire on your plug must be connected to the Earth (Green/Yellow) wire on your motor. This wire will connect directly onto the motor case. See photo 7.
Before switching on the power....
1) Make sure your connections are solid and sealed with isolation tape;
2) The wires, motor are not in contact with anything else or anyone else (Except the floor/ground);
You can switch on the power and your motor should turn. Note the direction in which your motor is turning.
Disconnect the power.....and wait for the motor to come to a full and complete stop.
Mark the direction in which the motor was turning on the wire.
Disconnect that wire and connect the other directional wire.
Before switching on the power....
1) Make sure your connections are solid and sealed with isolation tape;
2) The wires, motor are not in contact with anything else or anyone else (Except the floor/ground);
Switch on and look....your motor is turning in the opposite direction now!
