Ground? or Neutral?

[mrcaptainbob]

I'm hooking up a 240V motor in the barn. Of course the panel has separated ground and neutral. When hooking up the motor, there are the two hots: red and black. But what about the third motor wire? Should/must that be connected to ground? Or to Neutral? Also....since this is a motor that will be used possibly once a month for no longer than maybe 1.5 minutes, my intentions are to continue the leads to an outlet nearby. That outlet would be separated so that one plug is to black, the other to red. Of course both would be using the same neutral. And.....the same ground. This plug would see greater use than the motor. Even at that it would be seasonal use only. The breaker is a DP 20amp. So...should the motor third lead be to ground or neutral?

[HayZee518]

look in the motor's splicebox. if the third wire is connected to the motor's metal frame, connect THAT wire to the earth ground in the panelbox. if it is connected to a motor lead, connect it to the panel's neutral bar.