Terry wrote:
On Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:55:00 -0400, jeff_wisnia
wrote:


Terry wrote:

Actual metalworking content...

Was drilling a hole with my ElCheapo brand floor model drill press and
the red plastic of the rocker switch popped out, never to be seen
again. Unscrewed the panel to the switch and lo-and-behold, there are
*four* wires connected (via spade connectors) to this switch, not two.
Two wires are red and are fastened to the same female spade connector.
One is black and if my voltmeter knows what it's talking about, it's
the hot wire. The fourth wire is black and is not hot when the
machine is plugged in.

My plan *was* to replace the switch with an ordinary 15A wall switch
but that doesn't sound like a good idea anymore. Help, please?

Best -- Terry

Try unplugging the cord and removing the remainder of the switch.

Wrap electrical tape around the spade connector with the two red wires
on it to insulate it.

Connect the two black wires together and plug in the cord. If the motor
runs, then you can unplug it, disconnect the two black wires and route
them through that 15A wall switch you mentioned.

Jeff


Thanks Jeff! That did it. I'm still wondering about the red wires,
though. One appears to be the neutral from the plug, the other
appears to be the neutral to the motor. It makes sense that they're
connected to one another, of course, but what (in the switch) would
they be connected *to*?

Not that it matters. I'm drilling again. No worries.

Thanks again -- Terry

Did the original switch by any chance have a bulb or LED in it which lit
when the motor was turned on? That would require that the neutral be
available there.

That's just a WAG. other than that I can't think of why those wires
would be needed at the switch. An autopsy of the switch body might
reveal something, but to me the essence of pragmatism has always been
expressed as, "If it works, use it and stop worrying about it."

Jeff
--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10e12 furlongs per fortnight.