104/208 volt single phase motor

[electrofelon]

Anyone ever seen such a thing? I've got one here, just never seen that on a data plate of a motor before. There is no question other than that, I won't be using this motor, probably just yard art.

 

[infinity]

Sounds interesting any photos?

 

[LarryFine]

Sounds like a modified 120/240v motor.

 

[Jraef]

Most single phase dual voltage motors are simply made with two Main windings that are put in series for the higher voltage and parallel for the lower. When the dual voltage is 120/240V, that is simple and useful. But if someone wanted a motor TRUELY designed to operate at 208V, then indirectly, the lower voltage will end up as 104V. The lower voltage rating is not useful for anything though (outside of parts of Japan maybe...)

What MOST motor mfrs do however is to just design the windings such that the 230V setup is OK down to 208V.

 

[electrofelon]

Sounds interesting any photos?

Yeah, its a beauty!

 

[ActionDave]

That looks like an old sewing machine motor.

 

[Eddie702]

1899 patented. Wow.

 

[electrofelon]

Found this brief bit on century motors:

Century Electric Co. - History | VintageMachinery.org

The date code system mentioned doesn't seem to match with the serial number of mine. But those date of manufacturer codes started 1938 according to the article. Found a picture of another one with a serial number similar to mine (a bit higher number), article says date of manufacture around 1910.

 

[LarryFine]

But those date of manufacturer codes started 1938 according to the article.

I wondered why they started with R, so I worked back to A being 1921.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Well I guess this puts to rest the idea that 208 volts is a modern invention.

 

[LarryFine]

I wonder if the 104 and 208 were utilization voltages intended for operation on 110 and 220v, respectively.

 

[Birken Vogt]

The same ratio of 230/240 would put 220 util. at 211 so it does not exactly line up. I have seen a lot of motors from that era that were stamped 110/220/440 volts on the nameplate but never anything else.

 

[kwired]

The same ratio of 230/240 would put 220 util. at 211 so it does not exactly line up. I have seen a lot of motors from that era that were stamped 110/220/440 volts on the nameplate but never anything else.

Was 208 wye even a thing back in that time?

 

[Hv&Lv]

Anyone ever seen such a thing? I've got one here, just never seen that on a data plate of a motor before. There is no question other than that, I won't be using this motor, probably just yard art.

There are some of these out there that are still used today. On 120V.
I’m inclined to agree with Larry in post 11.

 

[Birken Vogt]

Was 208 wye even a thing back in that time?

That was my comment earlier, was 208 a modern invention. But we don't know how they derived it. Maybe it was some non standard custom voltage for some out-of-the-way place.

 

[Jpflex]

Anyone ever seen such a thing? I've got one here, just never seen that on a data plate of a motor before. There is no question other than that, I won't be using this motor, probably just yard art.

Nope and where you find such a transformer power source for 104 volts perhaps changing taps stepping down from 120 to near 104 volt secondary although not good for the transformer? Of course running the motor at common 208 volts would be the best option