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How to Reverse Universal AC Motors

Universal AC motors are used in a number of different types of equipment. Many table saws and industrial motors are of the universal AC motor type. These motors can be single-phase or three-phase and can come in a variety of horsepower levels. Depending on what the motor is used for, it may be necessary to reverse the motor's direction. A typical example would be a conveyor belt. The motors that run these belts can be run forward to load a truck and they can run in reverse to unload a truck.

Things You'll Need

Screwdriver
Socket wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Shut off power to the motor at the main power panel. Some motors have a disconnect switch that should be set to the off position for added protection until the work is finished. Locate the hot wires that feed the motor. They are usually black and red for a single-phase motor, and black, red and blue for a three-phase motor.
- 2
  Disconnect two of the hot wires from the motor terminals using the screwdriver or socket wrench depending on the type of terminals the motor has. It can be any two of the hot wires. Reverse these two wires and reconnect them to the motor terminals. If you reverse any two hot wires on a universal AC motor, the magnetic field will reverse direction, causing the motor to spin in the opposite direction.
- 3
  Tighten all of the terminal screws and turn the motor disconnect switch back on. Turn the power back on at the main power panel and start the motor to observe its direction.

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