APPLICATION NOTE
Delta Connected, 9-Lead Motor
Insulation Testing
This type of motor is probably the most commonly used in factories, lumber-mills, and other commercial plants. They are
dual-voltage and can be wired for either 240VAC or 480VAC. Each motor will have 9 numbered leads coming out of the
motor. The leads are numbered to aid the electrician when connecting the motor. If you look at the manufacturer’s name-
plate it will have a table similar to Table 1 that describes how the leads should be connected.
L1 L2 L3 Join
Low Voltage 1, 6, 7 2, 4, 8 3, 5, 9 –
High Voltage 1 2 3 4 & 7, 5 & 8, 6 & 9
Table 1. Manufacturer’s nameplate for Delta connected 9-lead motor
1
According to the table above, for a high-voltage connection, the
electrician would connect L1 to lead #1, L2 to lead #2, L3 to
lead #3, wire-nut 4 & 7 together, wire-nut 5 & 8 together, and
I
wire-nut 6 & 9 together. Refer to Figure 1 for a detailed internal II
9 4
wiring diagram. 6 7
In Figure 1 the leads are numbered and the individual coils are
referenced with roman numerals. VI III
From Figure 1 it can be seen that some coils are permanently V IV
and internally connected. These coils are I & II, III & IV and
3 8 5 2
V & VI. They can not be separated. This fact is important when Figure 1. Delta connected, 9-lead wiring
considering insulation resistance testing.
Since the coils do not separate it will not be possible to test coil-to-coil insulation resistance for all 6 coils and the
combinations that they represent.
In order to effectively test the motor we must disconnect the field coils from one another where possible. The wire-nuts
from 4 & 7, 5 & 8 and 6 & 9 need to be removed.
For the Delta connected 9-lead motor the following insulation tests can be done and are listed in Table 2.
Megohmmeter + Megohmmeter – Insulation Resistance
Connection Connection Tested
Lead 1 Motor Frame Coils I & II to Frame
Lead 2 Motor Frame Coils III & IV to Frame
Lead 3 Motor Frame Coils V to VI to Frame
Lead1 Lead 2 Coils I & II to III to IV
Lead 2 Lead 3 Coils III & IV to V & VI
Lead 3 Lead 1 Coils V & VI to I & II
Table 2. Testing guide for a Delta connected 9-lead motor.
Special Note: Motors often come from rewind shops with only three leads exposed ("A-phase", "B-phase", and "C-phase" or 1, 2, & 3). In
order to make reconnection easier for the plant electricians the motor rewind shops internally connect 4 & 7, 5 & 8, and 6 & 9. This causes
a problem for proper insulation resistance testing. Essentially it is impossible to properly test a motor’s insulation resistance once this is
done.
© 2002 Chauvin Arnoux®, Inc. d.b.a. AEMC ® Instruments Delta Connected, 9-Lead Motor Insulation Testing (pdf) 08/02
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