Electrical – Converting a 120V universal motor to run on 240V

motorvoltage

Is it as simple as rewinding the field coils with twice the number of turns and wire half the cross-sectional area of the original?
or would the armature coils also need to be rewound as well?

The motor is rated 120V, 200W. I live in SE Asia, so wall voltages are 240V. I do have a voltage transformer, I just wanted to know what is involved in converting the motor to run on a different voltage.

Best Answer

You do not tamper with the motor. You buy a step-down transformer rated for the current the motor needs. Get the voltage and current ratings of the motor, then just search the web for 'step-down' transformers that match your 230 to 240 vac line voltage on the primary side, and 120vac on the secondary side.

The transformer needs to handle the start-up current as well (it may be listed on the motor), so it maybe rated for twice the motor run current - or more. They are plentiful and have many sources and should not cost much. They are a quick and safe solution.