Is my circuit overloaded?

[debtcollectorZA]

While I've all the clever people's attention. I've got another question...

I bought a second hand table saw a while back.
I've got no idea what wattage the motor is but it is fairly large and almost silent, so I think it is an induction motor.
From what I could see on the internet the motor is between 1800W and 2300W single fase.

The motor is has two loose wires dangling unconnected.
The wires have factory crimped-on female blade connectors attached. The motor run fine, but I suspect it might be under performing as the blade sticks easily when sawing.
What are those two loose wires there for? Capacitor perhaps?
I haven't testes to see if there are any voltage on those wires when the motor is running.

[bergie]

"I haven't testes to see if there are any voltage on those wires when the motor is running."

ha ha love that last line. is that a freudian slip?

[AndyD]

The motor is has two loose wires dangling unconnected.
The wires have factory crimped-on female blade connectors attached. The motor run fine, but I suspect it might be under performing as the blade sticks easily when sawing. What are those two loose wires there for? Capacitor perhaps?

From the symptoms I'd guess it was for a capacitor to be connected. If you can attach some photos of the motor terminal box and the motor info sticker/plate if there is one I'll be able to give you a definite answer and maybe come up with a uF value for the capacitor.

I haven't testes.........

Can't help you there I'm afraid, I do have 2 but I need them both, suggest you go see a specialist.....or reinstall spellchecker maybe

[debtcollectorZA]

Sorry for funny spelling mistake. I think my wife's pregnancy mushy brain seems to be contagious.

There unconnected wires don't actually come out of the motor terminal box.
I will see if I can strip it down and take some pictures of the wires inside the terminal box as well as the loose wires dangling out.
Thanks for having the balls to help me

[AndyD]

Lol. I think the only way will be with some pictures, they might even be for a safety switch of some sort but without any visual clues it's all guesswork.

[debtcollectorZA]

Pictures attached. If needs be I will attempt to open up the terminal box to get an idea of the wiring in there

[AndyD]

The wires could be for an internal thermal protective device or maybe even a dynamic brake. Maybe can you give the make and model number of the motor?

[debtcollectorZA]

The plot thickens somewhat...
I tested the current draw and 1.8Kw+ motor only draws 500w when running. Could the loose wires have something to do with the low current draw?

[bergie]

was it under load when you tested it. it wont draw more amps if it doesnt need to.
the extra wires might be for a 2nd capacitor. sometimes there are 2 in parallel.

[AndyD]

The plot thickens somewhat...
I tested the current draw and 1.8Kw+ motor only draws 500w when running. Could the loose wires have something to do with the low current draw?

How did you test the current? What instrument did you use? 500W isn't a current measurement it's a power measurement so I'm a bit confused about what you measured and how.

Induction motors or squirrel cage motors are generally at their most efficient when they're under full load, if they're free wheeling (no load) they often draw around 25 or even 30% of their full load current even though they're just rotating free and doing no useful work. Likewise the power factor of a motor usually improves as the load increases.

There's no hard and fast formula for off-load current draw, it very much depends on the individual motor but single phase motors have higher inefficiencies. If the saw was not actually cutting anything when you tested it then the power consumption of 500 watts would be expected.