Three Prong Plug Onto A Clutch Motor ?

[CustomDoug]

I've got a spare clutch motor sitting around collecting dust and thought I'd put it on craigslist and sell it. The problem is that the plug end was - somehow, someway cut off by the previous owner. He showed me the motor working with the bare wire ends just stuffed into an electrical outlet ! And the motor did work just fine. So anyway I picked up a heavy duty three prong electrical plug at Homedepot but when I got home I noticed that the cable coming from the motor is made up of 4 wires (red,black,white,green) and the electrical plug I got only has 3 screws (internally) for attaching wires. They are labeled red/black/green (no white). When I look at the ends of the wire cable only the green looks like it was not used (at least not for cramming into the electrical outlet bare), there are no exposed twisted wires on the green one. So, is there some way I can use this plug? Maybe hook the white wire up to the "green" terminal of the plug and tape off the actual green wire? Anybody have an idea? Thanks!

[CustomDoug]

I forgot to mention, it's a 110v 400watt 3450rpm Arrow clutch motor.

[Gregg From Keystone Sewing]

The extra wire is for reversing the direction of the motor; usually the motor has a diagram on the end bell cover, either on the outside or sometimes on the inside. It will show the line in (power) and then the direction of rotation, and what wires to use. Some use numbers or colors to designate the wires. Good luck, and be safe doing this.

[CustomDoug]

The extra wire is for reversing the direction of the motor; usually the motor has a diagram on the end bell cover, either on the outside or sometimes on the inside. It will show the line in (power) and then the direction of rotation, and what wires to use. Some use numbers or colors to designate the wires. Good luck, and be safe doing this.

Thanks Gregg - I actually mis-stated the new replacement 3 prong plug.. it's got screw terminals for black/white/green (no red), instead of white being left out as I wrote above. Since my green wire has obviously not been used (it's cut off even with no exposed wires), that leaves me to believe that it is the reverse wire. Remember I saw the motor working in it's normally installed configuration and the red wire has an exposed copper tip that's obviously been used (probably crammed down into one of those electrical outlets). If this is the case, I will have to install the red wire to the green plug terminal. I will search for a diagram but I don't recall seeing one. Anyway Leaving the reverse wire (which ever color I find that to be) out of the new plug (taping it off, inside the plug I guess) will be ok with me and I will explain the situation to any potential buyers.... or is there a way to power it also (maybe combined it with another terminal screw)? Thanks again.

[electrathon]

Green is ground

White is neutral

Black (or possibly red) is power.

It would be wise to pull off the motor plate cover and see that it is not screwed up inside to motor. Red is never (supposed to be) ground. Depending on what was done porperly or improperly you could be in for a surprise if you just start hooking thing sup willy nilly. If you hook it up wrong an arc flash or melted windings in to motor will be the result.

[CustomDoug]

Thanks guys.. Gregg was right there was a color diagram on the side that cleared everything up. It's purring like a kitten again, and the plug looks nice too. I appreciate the help as alway.