Motor speed color code

This explains the PSC motor speeds color code, including one variation that does not follow the code. This video is part of the heating and cooling series of training videos made to accompany my websites: www.graycoolingman.com and www.grayfurnaceman.com to pass on what I have learned in many years of service and repair. If you have suggestions or comments they are welcome.
If you are a homeowner looking to repair your own appliance, understand that the voltages can be lethal, the fuels are highly flammable and high pressures are used. Know your limits.

[@cidizzle]

Thank you so much for answering about powering multiple wires burning up the motor. I came here for that answer. Trying to turn my oil furnace into an air filter so we can breath a little easier while being covered in wildfire smoke.

[@davidlangston6927]

I’ve been looking for this explanation! Using one for an exhaust in my shop. Perfect. Thank you

[@grayfurnaceman]

Welcome GFM

[@rustyshackleford4144]

Thanks a bunch. You solved my problem and I didn't get shocked or blow a breaker.

[@josephprincefanclub]

QUICK INFO DELIVERY! Thank you!

[@hott4688]

Thank you!!! I was going crazy trying to figure this out without burning it up.

[@aaronclark1599]

Look on the motor, it tells you which color is Line..

[@jimstarfiegener8638]

THANK YOU!! I can’t believe I found just what I desperately needed!

[@grayfurnaceman]

Glad it helped. GFM

[@lloydrowe3472]

Thanks furnaceman! I wired my blower motor yesterday. I had to use an ohm meter to figure it out. This video is the first one I’ve seen explaining the yellow wire as common.

[@hvacrjunky6119]

Good video, thanks.😎

[@grayfurnaceman]

Welcome GFM

[@waltbe]

thanks, good job.

[@AdamShaiken]

How timely. The blower motor relay blew on a replacement IFC while the A/C was running last Saturday. Tested for power to the board then from board to motor. No joy. Thankfully the 24 year old motor and cap were just fine and I had saved the original 24 year old IFC for just such an occasion. I had only replaced that IFC because of constant finicky(for 7 years) start-up symptoms upon calls for heat that I can always rectify by rebooting the furnace(i.e.turning the circuit breaker off for 15 seconds and draining the capacitors on the board before re-energizing the board and initiating a call for heat and it usually fires on the first attempt again for the next several cycles). I just purchased a new ICM281 to have as my backup for now.

[@dale6805]

Great video I have the 2nd one and was a little confused about the wiring thanks for the clarity!

[@sheetmetalbyzaker4938]

Very very nice bro

[@milkyway808]

Very nice video,I’m confused too about colors of the connections where to connect,bec.there’s so many types of model or maker.

[@dennisshaver4284]

thanks

[@dennisnoone7427]

can you do one for an ecm 24v tap speeds colors thanks!

[@kennethfinch4009]

Thank you! The directions that came with the motor did not specify the wires. Thank you for your help

[@grayfurnaceman]

Welcome GFM

[@WVRetreat]

Very helpful video. I would like to slow down the lowest speed on a blower motor because the slowest speed is too fast. Can I safely install a dimmer/rheostat on the slow-speed wire to slow down the motor?

[@grayfurnaceman]

If you have the motor on low speed, you can't make it any slower without the furnace overheating. GFM

[@bradlee4309]

I have a GE blower and it only has a black and a red wire coming from the motor and one pink/purple wire coming from the capacitor...so is the black and red high and low and the pink/purple coming from capacitor common? I'm confused on this one lol

[@Pretzel114]

Hi GFM! thanks for the video. One question for you. Can you run various speeds by using a relay? Thanks in advance.

[@grayfurnaceman]

Yes. You just must lock out one speed when using another. GFM

[@Pretzel114]

+grayfurnaceman Thank you much, appreciate it.

[@wildorchids3657]

My furnace is a two stage. When its running on 1st stage the sound is ok but when the 2nd stage kicked in the noise is so loud. Could you please tell me what can I do to fix the problem? It wakes me up at every night.

[@lukegoffkat]

I doubt if you'll get back to me in time, but I have 5 wires. Simple right? Well, the motor has all the regular spots, but two of them are connected to wires already going into the housing. Black and red. (low and high). Instead of connecting from the inside of the housing, it's right there connected to slots I need to plug into. There are on the speed connections two bolt type connectors that I could wrap the wires around, but it's weird and so far I've just been able to get low speed going.

[@jotu173]

Do you think that if I employed a switch it could hurt the system if on low or other speed besides high? (coil freeze over and possibly permanently damage the evap or whatever)?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Low speed can always cause freezeups if the air flow is reduced too much. All you can do is try it to see. GFM

[@TripleDonger]

I have the black high on the cool and blue med on the heat. Can I switch those around? Having trouble getting decent heat to my 2nd floor

[@grayfurnaceman]

I would remove the blue and jumper the black to both. GFM

[@vicstewart4849]

I have a fan motor with these wire colors Black, red, orange, and two browns. I assume two browns go to the capacitor and black is high. Which one would be the common? I want a single speed blower for my shop.

[@grayfurnaceman]

I have never seen an orange common. The orange may be a faded white which would be common. Usually, there is a wiring diagram with colors on the side of the motor. GFM

[@eloriginal302]

Sir when you say common does that mean neutral. I'm trying to use as a shop fan but the ac furnace fan has black purple red. I want to splice a cord . That has black. White and ground. I want to know if.to wire. Black with black. And purple to white. And leave red alone

[@grayfurnaceman]

Can't be sure without knowing the manufacturer about color code. Probably Westinghouse. If you want high speed, use black and isolate red. Purple is probably common. Connect to white on cord. Hope this helps. GFM

[@PrecyseStylez]

I just got a new blower motor and it has a brown/white (combo), brown, red, white, blue, black and orange. where does the orange go on the circuit board?? My previous blower motor didn't have an orange wire. Why is there an extra wire (orange)? I dont know what to do with it. Should I just cap it off? - CORRECTED

[@grayfurnaceman]

There should be a diagram on the motor. That said, it should be capped off if it is not used. GFM

[@mikeautostudent5562]

Thanks for your nice video. On schematic shows Brown with white connected to one side of the cap, the brown wire connected to other terminal of the cap! Does it matter how to connect these two wires to the run cap because in ac, should not be a problem. Let me know please.

[@grayfurnaceman]

It makes no difference. GFM

[@mikeautostudent5562]

@@grayfurnaceman thanks for response. Why they show that one goes to flat line sign, and the other goes to the curved sign?

[@grayfurnaceman]

@@mikeautostudent5562 Most of the diagrams I have seen have the symbol as 2 straight lines. GFM

[@Abo_Moussa]

GOOD

[@danchannels5983]

👍

[@jotu173]

I have a 20 year old system (I know it needs to be replaced but no money to do so). It has a 3 ton condenser. 1) how can I tell tonnage of other parts of split system (has gas furnace). I also have some parts of house closed off (I know that is bad also but it is what it is). Furnace is currently set to high cooling and blue wire heat and has PSC motor. I live in TN so pretty hot and humid June- mid sept. I have allergies, so I want to filter the air, but high is just too much. I also want to dehumidify more (mostly in 50-55% range right now - midle of hot summer day 93 degrees). Additionally... I just hate the feeling of air blowing directly on me so want it more subtle if possible. I already know about ecm retrofit options... but they R more expensive and I fear that their 600RPM might still be to high (Don't want to pay for motor and still not be happy). I am thinking about changing cooling to a slower fan speed (? medium high (all the time all hours) ? or MAYBE low (mostly for night time use?). I do realize that changing the fan speed will also change what is happening in the evap and if a freeze over occurs... I would probably simply revert to running system on high for cooling (or med high if possible without freeze ups) 2) If I do so (assuming I do wiring correctly), can I damage other parts of my system (this is also based on my question #1 to you above) To take it a step further...If I change the motor speed wiring... I was also thinking about adding a manual switch so I can toggle (ONLY when fan is off) to the other 2 available fan speeds available without having to rewire the system every time. I would use a multo position switch and NOT a potentiometer to achieve the switching. So question number 3) Assuming I wire it correct via basic switch wiring) would the switch cause any problems? Also... 4) Do you see any reason why the fan would need to be off when I switched between speeds? Any tips or suggestions for accomplishing the above (other than I need a new system)? Your fast reply to this message would be greatly appreciated.

[@grayfurnaceman]

Tonnage sometimes can be found in the model #. 24 in the number would indicate 2 ton (12000 BTU per ton). As for changing PSC motor speed, any switch used must be single pole double throw to disconnect one speed when connecting another. GFM

[@GIJoe-nk2pt]

I pulled off an old motor today that had no common wire. There is a yellow wire that was connected to the compressor. Super old unit in Maui and now I’m trying to figure out what wire is the common wire to connect the new motor.

[@justdissin7340]

Can i used one of this blower motors on a dual pack condensing unit?has same rpms,would it be water proof?

[@grayfurnaceman]

These motors are not waterproof. GFM

[@justdissin7340]

grayfurnaceman ..thank you sir

[@xxblackcrossxx1gaming602]

Thank you if i hadent watched your video i would have burned my fan

[@noahamesquita9787]

If someone cut the brown wires would that be bad ? And why, hypothetically speaking cause I’m playing with one my grandpa wanted me to make a shop fan out of it works but idk is that bad should I put new connections?

[@grayfurnaceman]

The brown wires are for the capacitor. The motor will probably not start and will run inefficiently. GFM

[@pedropedro5634]

Can we know the speed by checking the resistance the winding. Black to red black to blue black to purple... So the low resistance is highest speed????

[@grayfurnaceman]

No, you could be testing between 2 speeds. The resistance may be very low between the speeds. GFM

[@rudyp2014]

I have a Similar blower. What do I need to buy to get it to change speeds.

[@rudyp2014]

Also how to power up

[@grayfurnaceman]

Its not that simple. You can't just buy something. You have to understand how it works and how it is set up in your furnace. GFM

[@crossfiregaming9541]

What if mine doesn't have any wires coming out of the motor. There is just a 5pin female or male plug on top of the motor and the two brown wires running from the capacitor to the motor? Do I have to get a 5pin plug and wire that up to use it or do I undo the 5pin and attach my wiring to those wires inside the motor if there is any which I'm assuming there is

[@grayfurnaceman]

If the plug has identification for the wires you can attach wires to it. GFM

[@crossfiregaming9541]

grayfurnaceman what's GFM yes it is labeled low,medium-low,medium and high and also 1 says com but it doesn't look like there is a pin in that one. So it's a 4 speed and either what looks like 4pin plug

[@grayfurnaceman]

Common is one of the terminals that must be used. If you connect 2 of the speed terminals to power, you will burn up the motor. GFM

[@crossfiregaming9541]

grayfurnaceman Oh yeah I'm definitely not wiring up two speeds I am going to wire my yellow(com) wire and most likely my purple and brown wire for hi speed or black for Medium High. Just asking since the ground is grounded directly to the motor blower cage. Do I still want to run a ground with my two hot wires and pigtail it off of that ground on the motor or ground it seperately to the metal outlet box I'm mounting?

[@grayfurnaceman]

I would run the ground. GFM

[@Abo_Moussa]

PLZ: What happens when all PSC Motor speeds run with some?

[@duongpham4818]

IF I disconnect Black wire (hi speed), will the blower motor will run at Medium Hi speed? Without connecting Black wire permanently, will blower motor in normal working condition?

[@grayfurnaceman]

The motor will operate normally without the black if it is electrically isolated. However, if the furnace is wired to use the black circuit, the fan will not operate if the furnace sends power to the black. GFM

[@enzoamore9173]

Red low wire used for heating?

[@grayfurnaceman]

The red is commonly used for heat, but it depends on the duct resistance. GFM

[@davidschenburn3238]

Wait. What? You are "kinda color blind" and decided to make a video on motor color codes? That's humorous, but helpful. thanks.

[@stokermeister3]

What are standered wiring colour coding format /layout for a European fan?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Sorry, I have no idea. GFM

[@stokermeister3]

I got the forge working again 😋😁

[@vignetteorleans1631]

Does it use more electricity than a regular fan

[@grayfurnaceman7640]

It uses about the same power as a single speed motor when used in high speed. The lower speeds are not as efficient. GFM

[@floydroberts9868]

Question if no brown wires are available how do I hook it up

[@grayfurnaceman]

There should be a diagram on the side of the motor. GFM

[@enzoamore9173]

What gauge wires are they 12/14/16 gauge?

[@grayfurnaceman]

They are variable with motor size, but fractional HP motors are mostly #16. GFM

[@innovativeoutdoorsman5067]

I have a 1/2 HP,GE motor from my Rheem furnace (this is a spare motor) Depending on which of the colored wires I pair with the white, I should get a different speed (RPM) out of the direct drive motor. I hope to use this HVAC motor for another task but need to understand the RPM So I set up my stop watch on my Iphone, I put a piece of tape on the shaft and set up my camera to record video which Im able to slow down to very low speeds so I could count the turns of the shaft. It did not matter which wire I paired with the white wire, all of them made the motor spin the same speed (1200 RPM) which is faster than the rated speed on the motor label which is 1050 RPM. After talking with a friend, he thinks it might be because Im free wheeling the motor with no load on it, (no impeller and no duct work) Im stumped. Im not an electrical guy. All my engineering work is on the mechanical side of things.

[@grayfurnaceman]

Your friend is right. GFM

[@otrotland5377]

I had my a/c unit replace and I kept the blower fan which is 220 volts the number on the motor is D341314P71 and the housing is 4tee3f40b1000aa, no idea how to wire it up. any ideas

[@grayfurnaceman]

I can't give any specifics but the 2 brown wires are for the capacitor. The other two are the power wires. GFM

[@otrotland5377]

@@grayfurnaceman I will get with the man who removed it, he said it will require a controller and stuff, it has a ton of wires and I cannot fine online references to it.

[@oconaddify]

At 1:33, if you try to power two speeds at once, you’ll burn the motor? Did I understand that correctly?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Yes GFM

[@throughmyeyes8568]

trying to figure out my first one but i disconnected the capacitor and dont know what to plug in where.

[@grayfurnaceman]

If there are 2 brown wires, they are the capacitor wires. If there is only one brown wire, it goes to the cap and the other goes to the white or common wire. GFM

[@pipi7731]

It would have been nice to see how they connect to the control board to change the motor speed.

[@SerenoOunce]

Most boards should have HEAT and COOL terminals, unused wires go to PARK. Common setup I see is (Highest) Black - Blue - Orange - Red (Lowest). Exactly what speed(s) you require is dependent on you needs. Personally I prefer Med-High for COOL and Medium-Low for HEAT.

[@UnauthorizedContent1337]

My GE is a 4 speed and has Orange with it, what does that mean?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Its probably medium high. GFM

[@hugomendez2998]

Where I can buy one of those?

[@grayfurnaceman]

One of what? GFM

[@crider46]

Can you help me me mine is odd no info on the motor

[@lp.670]

holy stit bat man tell me more tell me more

[@hasmukhvpatel4539]

why this motor need capacitor ?

[@innovativeoutdoorsman5067]

but what are the 3 speeds? My motor says 1050 rpm but if it has 3 speeds, what are the other speeds?

[@grayfurnaceman]

The 1050 is the highest speed. The lower speeds are variable with manufacturer. GFM

[@gregorymarsh9504]

What's the green? Mine has a green (or it might even be green with a thin yellow stripe) and it's connected to a nut on the motor then NOTHING at the other end! Help!

[@grayfurnaceman]

Its a ground. One end connected to the motor, the other end should be connected to a screw on the blower housing. GFM

[@gregorymarsh9504]

@@grayfurnaceman OK, thanks. It's an ancient Friedrich unit in an old apartment building I live in where the owner and management do diddly to keep up the joint. I cleaned the daylights out of it and made big improvements. I know only the basics of HVAC. The 3 wires from the motor going to the "control unit are black, red, and yellow. Sticker on door forward of the heater coils reads: -Model# EXB053GAA -Electric service AC 240/208 V 60 CY. 1 PH -KW 5.0/3.75 - Heater circuit 20.8/18AMP - Motor 1/3H.P. 3.5AMP - Total rated amps 24.3/21.5AMP - Min Circuit ampacity 30.4/26.9AMP - Max fuse size. 35/30AMP -Ext. Static Pressure. .30"in. W.C." Don't know if you can give me your thoughts or knowledge on this.

[@elliotmerrick393]

What if you have a purple AND white?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Look at the model plate of the motor. There should be a color code key. GFM

[@gabrielenriquemartinezllan9224]

What about a cable called Insolation on the nameplate? What does it mean?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Can you send a pic of the nameplate? Send to [e-mail] GFM

[@mr.timjohnston546]

I have an old Citizen Window AC with a orange yellow blue red black WTF What do I do just to get it going to run the fan thaats on it?? I know this is an older vid and you might not get this.. heres hoping... THX

[@branded8443]

why do you call the yellow common when it should be labeled as neutral?

[@grayfurnaceman]

I am using the nomenclature that is used for motors. Common Start and Run. The common could be neutral or it could be hot. It works both ways. GFM

[@DX91001]

With using 120VAC The terminology of common is ALWAYS referred to hot and neutral is ALWAYS neutral. Low voltage uses common as negative polarity.

[@villebillie1562]

We use the NEC terminology at our industrial plant when referring to normal, basic 120vac wiring systems: Ungrounded Conductor = hot (black) Grounded Conductor = neutral (white) Grounding Conductor = ground (green)

[@deopadrequilaga7628]

Mine there no ground wire is that ok ?

[@grayfurnaceman]

Some of the early ones did not have a ground. Installing one is probably best. GFM

[@deopadrequilaga7628]

Where can i buy a ground wire ?I'm from canada

[@grayfurnaceman]

@@deopadrequilaga7628 It is a bonding wire. Any #14 green wire will do. You just need terminals on the ends. GFM

[@larrymcleod3091]

Ok pop

[@boreed5734]

You didn't say anything about a ground wire on the first one which is the one I have. I see no green wire anywhere to ground the thing.

[@grayfurnaceman]

The ground wire is a chassis ground. Connect it to any screw on the blower housing. GFM

[@boreed5734]

@@grayfurnaceman So should I just ignore the green wire on the plug and cap it off while I'm splicing in the black and white wire?

[@grayfurnaceman]

@@boreed5734 No, I would mount it to any screw on the blower housing. GFM

[@boreed5734]

@@grayfurnaceman Gotcha 👍

[@alchemy1]

My blower motor after it runs for 5 minutes it shuts off. I took it apart and the readings are as follows. It is a 4 speed. White to Orange = 2.6 to Red = 2.3 to Blue = 2.1 To Black = 1.8 To Brown ( cap) = 0.4 To the other brown ( cap) = OL No continuity with the body or with any of the wires ======================== Black and orange = 1.3 Black and Red = 1.0 Black and Blue = 0.7 Blue and Red = 0.6 I guess I forgot to do the orange with the blue and with the red. ========================= Black and orange should be 0.8 ohm difference and not 1.3 ohms. Black and red should be 0.5 difference, not 1.0 Black and blue should be 0 .3 difference, not 0.7 Blue and red should be 0.4, not 0.6 I really did not see any noticeable armature marks against the stator to be honest. I don't know.

[@grayfurnaceman]

You probably have a short in the winding that is overheating the winding and kicking off the high temp limit. GFM

[@alchemy1]

@@grayfurnaceman This obsessive clown fixed that motor. The fact that the other wire on that capacitor had no continuity was all I needed for self-dialogue to happen. Runs cool as a cat.

[@grayfurnaceman]

@@alchemy1 Great. Glad you got it going. GFM

[@alchemy1]

@@grayfurnaceman I have been breaking my head trying to find out how the coils on the stator is placed for different speed and the connections that go with it. It is basically impossible to get the real details of just how it is done. In my mind's eye I would have easily guessed that the coils for any extra speed must be along and within the poles of all ( say poles) of the main winding. But I don't think this is the case. I think it is put together in the winding configuration of the very first pole. Different length and gauge for any extra speed, save the main high speed which is a function of the number of poles. However, the other 3 poles get more of the main winding than the first one, since the first one, the extra windings on the slot is alocated to the other coils for the extra speed. But it is just a guess. It is all I have to go by.

[@hasan-qe3vs]

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