The red plug should read L1,L2,L3 these are the three phases then you should have the Earth pin ( the largest pin) and neutral N, this pin and one of the phases will give you 240 AC assuming the L1,L2,L3 have 420 to 440 volts AC across any pair of the L1 to L3. The black plug appears to have an earth pin and the three phases as Neutral N is not always used.

Martin P

I'd agree with Martin, It all depends if the machine is wired in Star or Delta. Delta just uses the 3 phases and Earth and has a 4 pin red plug, as a quick check meter the resistance between any two phases (3 readings) they should all be the same. And each phase should be open circuit to earth You could also open the cover on the motor there is usually a connection drawing on the inside of the connection cover. Note if you get the phases the wrong way the motor will turn in the opposite direction. I would personally check the other end of the cable to make sure the Neutral really doesn't go anywhere. Do be certain of what you are doing ELECTRICTY KILLS very quickly, If in doubt don't attempt it.

Lionel

Are you saying that this picture is the plug currently fitted to your grinder? and it has a red cover?

I saw a red connector on the front of your converter so that confused me.

I have just Googled Transwave, I'm surprised, a company that I presumed has a good reputation should have better information on its website, The only info I could see that might have the details was the FAQ but I doubt the downloaded version is the same as the one Google linked me to.

If the male connector is does not have the pins identified maybe the socket on the front panel does?

Hopefully someone with the same converter will be along shortly, I'm a VFD man.

Ian P

Yes it is 'Star' and it does not need a neutral connection. The lighting transformer is across two phases so thats fine too.

Does not help though, as what you need are the connection details for the Transwave device.

Ian P

The red connector you have is a modern IEC connector for 3-phase plus neutral and earth, not surprisingly. You'd be surprised to find anything else these days. You don't have a neutral in your case so it can be left open. If you were making up an extension cable then strictly speaking you should connect all terminals through.

As you can see, there is a whole messy legacy of colour schemes but nowadays they are harmonising towards the IEC60309 std globally.

Your original connector and cable are some bizarre legacy scheme by the looks of them but assuming it worked before, the earth is clearly identifiable and the 3 phases must be the other 3 wires. So you just need to make sure you don't connect one of these to the neutral connection of your converter. And if you connect it up and the grinder goes in reverse, you can swap any 2 of the 3 phase wires.

Given that the converter seems to have an IEC socket, you should wire your mating IEC plug using the IEC convention – and identifying the empty neutral connection carefully in the process. I expect you'll find that the terminals are identified by lettering in the moulding. If not, look it up:

**LINK**

The 2 wiring diagrams show how you can connect the grinder motor in either star or delta according to the supply voltage, assuming you have a 6-wire motor. As noted, a neutral connection is not required for either.

Merry

Edited By Muzzer on 19/10/2013 23:04:34

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Capn'

It seems probable that the Transwave is "fully wired" in accordance with IEC 60309

…. But nothing is guaranteed !!

Have a look at this Wikipedia page, wiring details at bottom-right of the table.

[note; the 60Hz reference should say 50/60Hz]

All being well, you should wire the Grinder into a 5 pin plug, ignoring Neutral.

My biggest concern, however, is the Yellow cable on the Grinder

… Yellow is usually reserved for 110 Volt "Portable Site Equipment" [which would explain the odd colours inside]

.

I would strongly recommend getting a qualified electrician to rewire the Grinder and test it on the Transwave.

MichaelG.

Further to the posts above. The outer sheath colour can be almost anything although I agree that in modern practice it is generally reserved for 110v site equipment. However looking at the original photo's and the wiring plate the machine must be of a certain age. The plug on the OP photo looks like a 1950/1960's type of unit which was very common (in a variety of sizes but of the same construction). There should be a metal outer ring which was threaded to allow the plug to be securely screwed to the socket. these sockets still turn up on older machinery especially T&C grinders etc. where an auxiliary motor was sometimes connected. Secondly regarding the colours the grinder is a Swiss machine (which could have been supplied through a London agent) so the colours shown on the plate will reflect Swiss practice. Most of Europe had different colour schemes for their wires. However the cable presently connected is undoubtedly a modern addition of uncertain origin.

What the OP needs to check is whether the machine is still wired for the 415v three phase supply and whether there has been any internal wiring changes since it came out of industry. Some times machines have been modified by amateurs or unscrupulous electricians and if this is the case then it should be examined by an industrial electrician used to three phase. However if the machine has been acquired straight from a factory and was in use prior to this then all should be well. It is probable that the cable shown just goes direct to an isolator on the machine. A photo of the grinder would help here.

Finally please be aware that converters such as yours do not give a true three phase supply such as would be obtained from the electricity company. They do work and will do what you want them to but it is important that they are wired in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

Err..In the above photos it appears that there is a cable with a plug ON BOTH ENDS…I hope not.

In any case I would suggest for this application obtain suitable plug to fit the transwave and fixed wire to the grinder..thus any peculiarities required ( converters are there own beast) are kept with that machine.
Converters if I remember supply two phases from live and fudge the third phase with a capacitor also from live..and with “luck” the motor can be made spin..as you can tell I am not a fan

Neil..quite