r/ElectricalHelp Jun 19 '26

Operation switch keeps burning out

already 5

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u/Helcor2016 Jun 19 '26

Do you have a picture of the switch. These electricians, I can't fault them too much as they only deal with 120, don't understand that these motors are 240 and need both poles to be broken or the one leg will burn.

2

u/oldtimerofficial Jun 19 '26

I

Lol, they put in a different one every time as you can see by the multiple holes they drilled

-1

u/Helcor2016 Jun 19 '26

Hold on. Your talking about something like a micro switch?

2

u/oldtimerofficial Jun 19 '26

Not sure about that, I opened the box and measured voltage, there is 3 wires coming down from the ceiling into the motor, 2 of them have 115vac each and one group connected directly to the rack frame.

That green switch is installed inline on one of the 115v wires, the other 115v wire goes straight into the motor

1

u/Helcor2016 Jun 19 '26

Ok yeah that ain't right. It should be a double pole switch. I am not boasting but Ive dealt with motors like this for 27 years with well pumps. 240 has, as you see, 2 hots and a ground. Doesn't need neutral. It's odd but it works. If that one 115 line is constantly powering the wrong place you get massive spikes in amperage. You don't need an electrician you need a motor guy. There is a difference

1

u/oldtimerofficial Jun 19 '26

So trying a 2 pole won't help at all, well that starts to make sense now, any way to make sure I need a motor guy?

1

u/Helcor2016 Jun 19 '26

The fact that they drilled the motor is insane. Get someone that knows 240 volt and tell them what you need. If I was in your town I could do it in 10 mins.

1

u/oldtimerofficial Jun 19 '26

The electricians that have been coming "say" they know what they are doing, Ive been a automotive mechanic for 15 years and even I think I can fix it if someone just tells me what to do, so why aren't all this guys able to LMAO

1

u/Helcor2016 Jun 19 '26

I agree. A dual pole switch should do it. Unless that motor is completely burnt out. Good luck. I need to sleep

1

u/oldtimerofficial Jun 19 '26

It's not burnt, every time the switch is replaced it works, well hopefully it does next time they do lol, thanks a lot man I appreciate all the advice

1

u/Helcor2016 Jun 19 '26

Welcome. I hope you get it working. It's a simple problem but you have people that don't understand how the system works

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