Help with wiring these switches

[dannymac]

Will try attach pics ...

These are run of the mill type machine switches,all the sparkies will know them Im sure,one on other is an off type,both are spring loaded,when pressed in,they press out again when you take your finger off the button,,inside they both have 4 numbered 1-4 terminals,which I hope the pics picked up on my phone and also an earth,under the actual terminal block and another earth on the alloy case.Id like to wire them to a 240v motor,regular 3 core cable,so that green for on,red for off..The pics with the red stray wires are the green switch..if its possible, can someone tell me what terminal for what.

 

[FranV8]

You'll need a contactor (big relay) to make this work. The start button is only momentary - I. E. The switch only stays closed whilst you hold it.

 

[piman]

Hello Danny,

have a look at this link, http://www.electrical-contractor.net/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/189027/Basic_Start_Stop_AC_Motor_Cont.html

The circular M1 is the contactor coil, the M1 contacts across the start button are auxiliary contacts on the contactor and keep the contactor in when you release the start button (otherwise it would just stop again). Hope that makes sense.

Alec

 

[dannymac]

Thanks lads,I did wonder how the power stayed on,wasnt sure if they were magnitised with the power on.What does a contactor coil look like?I have some other switches that may have this built in already,ill send some pic here later and you might tell me.

 

[piman]

Hello Danny,

there are a few configurations of contactors, but typically the coil connections are near the base (often with a voltage label) and the switch terminals and auxiliary contacts are at the top. Older contactors generally have the coil visible unlike modern units that are plastic enclosed.

Alec

 

[dannymac]

Will the contactor be available in a seperate box,just for future use of these switches so Ill get one so the switches will be useable.(or two for both switches?) Heres another switch box,its got stray wires already wired,will this one wire up the same as the way its been on the previous machine,Im not sure if they were on a 3 phase motor?

 

[FranV8]

Looks like it's a single phase contactor- see the label in it.

 

[Wedg1e]

Danny, that's known as a Direct On-line Starter (DOL). The Start and Stop buttons are fitted into the lid; when you press Start it depresses that copper contact strip you see on top of the contactor, which feeds current through the overload relay (the block below the contactor) and back to the contactor coil. So the coil energises and starts the motor.
Although at first glance you could use it for your application, it looks to me as though the contactor coil is rated for 415V (pic's a bit fuzzy) so wouldn't work on single-phase mains.

Damn: Fran beat me to it

 

[dannymac]

Ah,i saw single phase on the innards,so figured it would be ok,but a sticker on the outer cover had 415v...so this is no good for my 240v either ?lol!Ill see what others i have...Failing that,where can I get a contactor for the first pair?

 

[KemppiFrog]

You can swop the coil between 230 and 415v. The upper pic looks to be for 3ph, but with a diag for single. Note the spare terminals.

 

[dannymac]

You can swop the coil between 230 and 415v. The upper pic looks to be for 3ph, but with a diag for single. Note the spare terminals.

Can you explain kemppi which one needs swapping,I can send a clearer pic if you wish?

 

[KemppiFrog]

Sorry, I confused the issue. The actual coil unit can be exchanged for another voltage. The contact body seems to be for built for 3ph,but could be used for single ph. if needed, with a 230 coil. All depends on the writing on the coil. It is usually written on a tag that shows outside the main body.
KF

This is from an ' occasional electrician' not a proper sparky.... I just worked in an area where it was a bit DIY.

 

[dannymac]

On the tag on the outside body,it has numbers for 240 and 415,but inside,there is also 2 220v ,75 kw and 440v 11kw.
Would the sticker inside that says single phase WD mean 'wiring diagram' i wonder?Its wired up in the same way as the sticker,and Im 95% sure the machines these switches came from didnt have a 3 phase supply in the building.Your help is greatly appreciated.If i hook it up to my 240v motor the way the sticker shows,and its for a 3phase,is it likely to do any damage(theres no electronics there) or just do nothing and not work?

 

[eil]

That contactor is wired up for single phase, so I would also assume the coil is 220v, its unlikely you would have a 3 phase coil to work a single phase supply.

 

[Wedg1e]

That contactor is wired up for single phase, so I would also assume the coil is 220v, its unlikely you would have a 3 phase coil to work a single phase supply.

Yep, revisiting the pics makes me wonder if the contactor has a generic makers' label on it or has already had a coil change, it's definitely a single phase installation (red and black to the motor).

I'd give it a run as-is; if it is for some odd reason a 415V coil then it may buzz or rattle a bit but probably won't pull-in, shouldn't do any damage.

 

[dannymac]

I wired it up tonight and shes working great,thanks for the help boys