I'm trying to get some information on how to get an electric motor to run in reverse. I know how to make a low voltage DC motor run in reverse by switching the positive and negative to reverse the current flow. However this won't work when I try it on a 120 volt Ac motor. Is there a special switch I need to install or is their a special motor needed for this application. Thanks ( Lee )
If you wish to change the motor's direction of rotation with a switch, you will need reversible motor. It will have separate windings for each direction, and a transfer switch which prevents energizing CW/CCW windings simultaneously. An ordinary AC motor can't be reversed for practical purposes except by removing the end bells and rotor, then reassembling with the rotor's output on the opposite end.
maybe for DC AC is constantly changing and the direction is controlled by a phase relation in the fields so switching it makes no difference this is why electrical engineers spend so much time in school. lots to learn in the late 1800s Edison promoted DC because that is all he could understand. Tesla was a math genius and invented AC. Westinghouse realized AC was much more practical
You need to use a series motor like the one using for AC power drill. Reverse either the rotor winding or field winding shall make it rotate in opposite direction.
most motors have a small diagram on the side. It tells you how to wire it for 110 volts... or for 220 volts. or which 2 wires to reverse for reversing the motor.
