Wiring for Motor, Help required...please. Ask questions and find answers to many subjects relating to electrics and electrical work

[maximat]

Hi all :D , not sure if this is a new question or not, but here goes.
I am trying to fit an inline torpedo switch between a plug and a Motor, the motor in question is for a lathe, on it's i/d plate is printed..."Volt: 220" and "Watt:125", I have done this many times to other small motors, but this one is different, the three wires are...Red / Black / Grey, and that's my problem friends, which wire is which..for connection to the torpedo..then on to the switch.
Had a quick look onsite and the most I found was possible 3phase, but as it's 220v...other info..it originates from Europe early 60's.
I will have a plug in test switch before any full blown attempts, so any help would be really great.
Cheers all, Maximat. :cry:

[sparx]

hi if original wiring the grey may be earth, use continuity tester to motor case & grey if circuit then connect earth straight thro. also black, break red with switch
if unable to get earth reading don't proceed, get a pro to check it out,
regards SPARX

[maximat]

Many thanks indeed SPARKS, :)
Wiring is original to the motor, still in good nick though, won't do anything unless i'm sure..so will check as you've suggested, and will post findings in due course.
Thanks again, maximat..Ian.

[maximat]

Okay people, further to my last message I have done checks as suggested by SPARKS, and the Red wire makes connection to the motor case !, is this bad news ?
A "very small" movement was seen at the meter on both Black and Grey, is it bad news for the motor ?.
A note on the inline switch, it has both Live and Neutral switchable (break / closed) would this help in order to connect the Grey and Black if it's do-able.
Profesional help may be required if you can't help any further, so any advise would be very well received.
Cheers to all, maximat, Ian.

[maximat]

For all you Eletrical bods, here is the official line from said pro, on RED / BLACK / GREY wiring, to my "CEKA 1950's European 220v Motor".
RED IS EARTH, the two remaining wires..please yourself which way to connect them.
Don't believe me ?, well..it is running very nicely thankyou, "no BS".
Cheers and hope this helps in the future, "maximat"..Ian.

[sparx]

Hi Ian, glad it's sorted, only come across red earth once before in early 1960's when the co. i was apprenticed to wired a whole food processing plants new Italian made machinery live to reds & whole lot went belly-up cause red was earth!!!
good to get feed back of this sort, tyhanks ,
SPARX

[maximat]

It's all for the common good eh SPARX,
Just as well I checked the Earth as suggested, as who knows if I would have been around to send this message to you all now...!.
Sincere thanks again..maximat..Ian. :D