RumRunner
Senior Member
- Location
- SCV Ca, USA
- Occupation
- Retired EE
Receptacles in Germany are polarized. The way their receptacles/plugs are made except UK is (almost) impossible to switch polarities.
The only way you can switch polarity is when you are using a North American Adapter for portable devices with multi-voltage switching transformer for batt charging.
The adapters do not convert 230vac to 120 vac —just the blades of the plug. But then these “wallwarts” chargers can be plugged-in either way anyway.
The adapters do not convert 230vac to 120 vac —just the blades of the plug. But then these “wallwarts” chargers can be plugged-in either way anyway.
When I moved from Frankfurt to Munich I left mine in Frankfurt and I had to buy one at the hotel front desk that cost 25 euros (31 usd) which only cost 6 usd at Walmart. 
Going back to controlling a device by switching both neutral and hot:
I'm totally amazed having followed this thread and having read all the comments.
While having both lines (line and neutral) simultaneously interrupted-- interrupting just one will certainly stop the motor.
Makes me wonder however, why, in spite the cadre of EE's, whether they are PE's or interns haven't even chipped-in at least some of their knowledge to shed some light into some misunderstanding and even confusion as to why both lines are switched off.
Hey EE's. . . this is not an affront (infra dignitatem) —I love you guys.
I'm assuming none of our “esteemed” EE's haven't had any experience in motor design. (although some claim that they had), it would have been a great contribution for learners and misguided individuals.
Mostly (if not all) household motorized appliances like mixers, drill motors , belt sanders, heavy duty washing machines etc are equipped with universal motors. These are motors with series connected field and rotor windings. By having both lines disconnected, it makes it easier to control the forward and reverse function just like an electric drill.
In some medium sized universal motors, repositioning the commutator brushes from a neutral position. . . forward and reverse can be easily achieved. For small motors, the incoming line to the series aux winding can be switched by a simple DPDT switch. Which is what OP has in this case.
This is a proven highly efficient design that comes in a small package. With the field (armature) winding separate from the rotor it gives a wide range of speed control as well. It can run up to 30,000 RPM like a Dremel grinder with carbide or diamond dust cutting disk.
This is a proven highly efficient design that comes in a small package. With the field (armature) winding separate from the rotor it gives a wide range of speed control as well. It can run up to 30,000 RPM like a Dremel grinder with carbide or diamond dust cutting disk.
This speed control is achieved by strengthening or weakening the field magnet. Hard to achieve if you only break one line.
Along with their high torque capability, they can also run on either AC or DC. Hence, called Universal Motor.. . . all the more justification of having both lines disconnected.
By bunching all neutrals and bypassing the two pole switch, OP basically defeated the reversing capability of the motor. It will work for his needs obviously.
He probably doesn't need it or not aware of this feature.
