Rewiring A Sewing Machine

[firewatch]

I have inherited my grandmothers 1950's singer sewing machine, the mains to 3 pin wire needs replacing-i can do this myself but i want to know which wire to use. The one on there is corroded through and i will not use it until the wire has been replaced. Im struggling to find the replacement wire, has it changed from red and yellow to something different ? I have found blue and brown but not red and yellow? the other wire (to the pedal) has been replaced so dont need to worry about that one. Thank you lovelies

[alavahalf]

Great machine that wipes the floor with modern chinese imports.
Hope this helps .. https://oldsingersewingmachineblog.com/2012/03/28/wiring-diagram-for-vintage-singers/

[Old_Geezer]

Red is live which is sensible, but under the EU rules was changed to the colour of mud i.e. brown, because that's not the slightest bit confusing. It goes the the fused part of the plug.

Black is neutral, which is sensible, but that's been changed to blue, just for the heck of it. That goes to the pin the other side of the plug from the live.

Green is earth, which was given a yellow stripe in addition so that the colour blind could recognise it and be electricians.

I do not recognise a red and yellow do one would need to check where it went in the sewing machine to work out what it is. Maybe it's something to do with the pedal ? If unsure of anything, give the job to someone who knows. Better safe than sorry.

[Old_Geezer]

Hmm ala's link looks useful.

[firewatch]

My grandmother made some stunning things on the machine, the motor and light cable have been replaced (she died in 09 i have only just taken it on as my dad needed space) , its the two from the plug to three pin in the middle. There is no earth just a power and a controller cable. I might have to try and find an electrician who knows what they are doing.

[atalanta]

I don't suppose it's a US machine ? If you are in the UK, does it have a transformer ?

[alavahalf]

If the serial number starts with a K .. it was made in Kilbowie, Scotland.
Kilbowie is now known as Clydebank.

[kvalidir]

Assuming it has a three pin plug connection it doesn't really matter what the original colours were, just buy new PVC sheathed cable ( blue brown and green and yellow) and rewire brown to the fused part of the plug , blue to the opposite terminal and green and yellow to the top terminal. Remember where your old cable colours went to the plug end and rewire your new colour cable to wherever it corresponds to the other end.

[firewatch]

Deffinatly english i have the receipt for it my granddad bought the machine for her just before my father was born. I dont believe it has a transformer, i am yet to dismantle it at all didnt want to risk loosing the little nuts that hold the three pin section together.

[Old_Geezer]

Just to say that I'm amazed they felt the need to watermark that diagram. It's awful. If you short the supply with that red wire you'd not get far.

Clearly the supply goes to 1 & 3, and the light also to show when it's powered. The controller and motor are in series and also across the supply; and joined together at pin 2.