Crazy Motor Wiring Problem!

[Melifluonze]

Alright, I'm scratching my head here...

I have a pump that claims it is a single phase 115/208 volt 3/4 HP pump.

It has connections for Line 1, Insulation and Line 2 in a low voltage and high voltage configuration (two different groupings of wires).

I believe from my research that I want the "low voltage" set of wire connections for 115 V.

So... I hook up black to Line 1 (that's the HOT side), White to Line 2 (Neutral) and Green (Ground) to Insulation, and I hook up power and thankfully something other than the motor explodes and the lights go out.

I've verified my wiring and I've stared at the wiring diagram for a while now. I've tried this on two different pumps (same pump type) so far, and both go BOOM. What on earth am I doing wrong?

Low voltage:

P1 = Line 1

P2, Orange, Red = Insulation

Black, White, Yellow = Line 2

Can't get any simpler than this, can it???

Does it matter where the Neutral goes? Maybe it's supposed to be on Line 1 instead of the hot? That doesn't really make any sense to me though...

 

[Melifluonze]

Here's the answer, because I suppose other folks might go down this path if they choose to DIY a surplus chemical pump for their tank (which is MUCH cheaper and higher in quality than some of the pumps on the market for aquarium use!)

To wire up a single phase motor, connections labled "Insulate" or "Ins" are not ground connections. They simply need to be insulated! Just put a wire cap on them and that's it.

Line 1 and Line 2 connect to the power line (Hot and Neutral).

Then ground the metal case of your pump somehow if a terminal is not available for it.

For all of you motor savvy power guys, laugh it up. I blew up lots of power cords before figuring this out, and for some reason it's not posted anywhere or in any manual. I must think too much, because now that I know what's up, it makes perfect sense: Insulate means JUST THAT! Insulate that bunch of wires and don't connect it to anything!

Now to take care of the hair I burnt off my leg...

 

[jdoenumber2]

Could you post a link to the pump or one close to which you are using?

 

[Melifluonze]

It's working now.

It's a March pump and I've got it listed with a link in my 220 Setup thread.

The motor is not available on the web, from what I have found. The sticker on the motor shows how to hook it up. I'm just a moron, since I thought the "Insulate" meant ground.