Wiring fail

[Pete.]

So I bought this little machine, has a small motor in it. There's a standard domestic power cord fitted (poorly, but intact) that runs straight into the motor, by-passing the switch. Ok, not great but before I do anything I'm going to see if the motor turns, so I fit a plug and plug it in.

Stand back and turn it on - and all the lights go off. Hmm, earth leakage trip.

Ok, so there must be a mouse nest or something in the motor, or a chafed lead. Busted insulation perhaps.

Nope, look what some idiot has done:

 

[the snooper]

i that a small 3 phase motor ? the earth connection seems to diapear into the windings along with the other 2

 

[Pete.]

Yeah, it's a 3-phase motor and they used the earth wire for a phase

 

[rtbcomp]

So, is there a 3 pin socket somewhere with all its pins connected to each of the phases, or did he think it was single phase and that's how it should be wired?

 

[Pete.]

No, I fitted the plug to what I thought was 240V single phase wiring.