*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro*
4 pins generally means it is 3 phase instead of 1 phase. 1 phase 115v is the
most common in the U.S. for household use as opposed to the common 220v 1
phase (?) in use in Europe and mostly the rest of the world. Why the higher
voltage outside the U.S.? The higher you go in voltage the lower is the load
(read amps) for a given appliance. Also note you stated it is a 2 HP air
compressor so figure it's a given that not only is it 3 phase but 220-240
volts as well. Here in the U.S. only high demand electrical items use 3
phase as 3 phase reduces the load even further than 220v 1 phase.
1 phase power is (generally) 2 or 3 wires, 3 for complete safety. One
wire is hot <+>, one wire is neutral <-> and the last wire is the ground
most commonly the roundish plug type pin you see on a 3 pin plug.
3 phase is a slightly different story, total of four wires for a plug
for 220-240 volts you'd have 115 volts on <+> each pin for a total of two
pins, your neutral <-> and your ground. Note that most 3 phase plugs are the
twistlock type meaning they only are inserted to the receptacle one way and
when inserted they must be twisted to the lock position. This prevents
klutzes like the average homeowner from plugging into a 220v3Ph outlet with
a 115v appliance and wonder why it's going so fast (The dryer near blew my
head off!! Sounded like a Jet!!)
If anyone on the list can explain this better than me please have at it
and no offence will be taken here as I am NOT an electrician. I unlike most
people have just enough knowledge to make me semi-dangerous. I used to run
Railroad Trains for a living out of New York City and when you qualify on
Electric Locomotives you have to know how they work so you don't stick your
little pinkies where they don't belong.
Waiting for the Wife to give me the OK to buy either an M-151a1 or an
M-185a3
James Shanks
The Line Below is my Ham Radio Callsign
n1vbn@bit-net.com
The line below is my Ham Radio Packet Address
N1VBN @ WB1DSW.NH.USA.NOAM
-----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Rupp <ruppster@alaskalife.net>
To: Military Vehicles List <mil-veh@uller.skylee.com>
Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2000 7:23 AM
Subject: [MV] Need help with 230 volt AC wiring
>*This message was transferred with a trial version of CommuniGate(tm) Pro*
>
>I just got a 2 hp military air compressor from DRMO for use on
>the portable workshop I plan on setting up on an M105 trailer
>to be pulled by my M220 deuce and a half. The electric motor
>is set up for 230 volt AC using a four pin plug. I thought
>it was wired just as the outlet for my clothes drier but the
>drier has only three pins. Can anyone tell me what the
>difference is between the three and four pin set-up besides
>the number of pins? Is the fourth pin just a ground wire? Is
>it possible to replace the four pin plug with a three pin?
>
>Thanks,
>Bryan R.
>'53 GMC XM220 2.5 Ton Shop Van
>'63 M43 Ambulance
>MVPA member #20324
>
>
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Jul 02 2000 - 23:51:27 PDT