Is it possible that i could start a fire or something? I took an old plug and connecting the motor wires to it, then i hooked the plug to the mains socket, it starts quite a big spark when it turns on, but should it be safe? even if the plug is well covered in its insulation?
You can always connect the motor to the mains, but ONLY through a AC Motor Starter of proper rating matching the motor. Ordinary switches and plug tops are not designed to handle high inductive loads. Since the motor is an inductive load, switching it on with an ordinary switch or plug will definitely create a spark. The spark is caused due to arcing between the contacts (due to back emf or inductive kickback) can be a potential shock hazard to the user. If the spark latches on to something combustible, then there is also a fire hazard. If you use it regularly, the spark will erode the contacts leading to failure of switch/plug So use a properly rated AC Motor Starter which is designed to avoid the above problem. An additional bonus is that the starter will have a thermal relay which will protect your motor and electrical wiring in case of overload due to load, bearing failure, rotor jam etc.
In the US you have 115 volts, the 240 v motor will run but will not have it's full power at the shaft. When a load is connected up to the rated load it will overload the motor and it will burn out.
