How to Connect a Phase-A-Matic Converter to a 3-Phase Motor

Mount the fused disconnect within sight of the three-phase motor according to the directions. Cut a piece of sheathed cable to run from the motor to the disconnect and another piece between the disconnect and the phase converter. Strip the cable sheathing from the cable ends to expose the wires, and strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each wire with the cable stripper.

Loosen the terminals in the fused disconnect with the screwdriver. The sheathed cable has three wires, each a different color. Assign a wire color to each of the three phases of electricity -- phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3.

For example: phase 1 = black wire, phase 2 = red wire, phase 3 = white wire.

Insert both bare or green insulated ground wires from the sheathed cable into the terminals labeled "Ground" inside the fused disconnect. Tighten the ground terminals securely.

Insert the three wires that lead to the motor into the terminals labeled "T1," "T2" and "T3" inside the fused disconnect, placing the color that relates to the phase number into the terminal with the same number. Repeat this for the wires that lead to the Phase-A-Matic and the fused disconnect terminals labeled "L1," "L2" and "L3." Tighten all the terminals securely.

For example: Place the wire black wire from the motor into the T1 terminal, the red wire into the T2 terminal and the white wire into the T3 terminal. The black wire from the phase converter inserts into L1, the red into L2 and the white wire into L3.

Remove the motor wiring box cover with the screwdriver. The motor wires are labeled "T1," "T2" and "T3." Hold the end of each wire from the fused disconnect together with a wire end from the motor, matching the motor wire numbers with the wire phases chosen in Step 2. Place a wire nut over each pair of wires and twist it clockwise until tight. Connect the ground wire to the green terminal screw and tighten the screw securely.

For example: The black wire connects to T1, the red to T2 and the white to T3.

Turn off power to the Phase-A-Matic converter at its disconnect or circuit breaker. Loosen the wiring terminals labeled "T1," "T2" and "T3" on a rotary converter model, or "A," "B" and "C" on a static converter model. Insert the ends of the wires from the fused disconnect into the terminals with the correct wire phase for each terminal number. Tighten the terminals securely. Connect the ground wire to the ground terminal and tighten the terminal securely.

For example: black into T1, red into T2 and white into T3.

Place the fused disconnect handle at the "Off" position. Replace all the wiring box covers. Turn on power to the Phase-A-Matic converter. Rotary converters take about three seconds to reach full speed. Move the fused disconnect handle to the "On" position. The motor should start and operate normally.