With the motor mounted and aligned, the next step is to temporarily connect the leads and test motor rotation. This requires temporarily closing the disconnect that you have locked out. This particular test is one reason a motor disconnect must be within sight of the motor.
Traditionally, motor leads are joined directly to the wires coming from the disconnect with solderless connectors. But if your maintenance department has been especially keen on productivity, your motor's leads are already wired to a plug-type connector that mates to a counterpart already wired onto the incoming power. If that connector isn't installed, now would be a good time to remedy that. The best time to install it on the motor is when the motor arrives at your facility.
After you verify proper rotation, permanently connect the leads. If doing that via solderless connectors, don't twist the wires first, and don't wrap the connections in wads of vinyl tape. In fact, if you properly seal the connections in rubber motor lead tape, there's no need to apply vinyl tape over the top.
It's also prudent at this time to affix a tag that states the date the connections were made. In Part 6, we'll pick up with connecting the load.
