Need wiring help

UlricT

Golden Member
Jul 21, 2002
1,966
0
0
My father has put together a circuit with an AC motor (single phase) to pump water linked up to the main line through a circuit breaker that is always on :)confused;). He also has a regular switch on the neutral line so he can turn it on remotely (near the house). He tried to attach a 0W bulb in series with the swtich so that he will know when it is on.

Somehow, the motor does not start when the bulb is connected to the circuit. The switch just turns the bulb on and off. I think this might have to do with the resistance of the wire involved. The one going to the motor is low gage (thicker), while the one going to the bulb is high gage (thinner).

Any ideas as to how this can be fixed?
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,775
5,937
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bulb in series=bab juju
he's trying to run that motor through the bulb filament.
switching a nuetral leg=bad juju
It is always best to switch the hot side. No surprises when you are working on it:p