Alpha HW110S Table Saw: Troubleshooting Not Starting

Created by Gabriel Izzo, Modified on Wed, 27 May at 11:56 AM by Gabriel Izzo

Alpha HW110S Table Saw · Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting — Not Starting

Applicable Models

HW110S-36(P) / HW110S-52(P)

European Style Magnetic Contactor Switches Only

This article applies to HW110S-36/52(P) models equipped with European style magnetic contactor switches only. The HW110S-36/52G, HW110S-PG, and HW110S-Pro use a paddle style switch and require a different troubleshooting procedure.

Overview

If the HW110S is failing to start, the steps below walk through a structured approach to diagnose whether the problem lies with the power supply, the overload relay, or the magnetic contactor. Follow each step in order.

⚠ Electrical Safety

Some steps in this procedure require the machine to be plugged in and live. Exercise extreme caution — do not touch any wiring, terminals, or exposed conductors while the machine is connected to power. Keep hands and tools clear of all live components.

When pressing the bypass button or interacting with the contactor, only use a non-conductive tool or insulated probe — never press it with bare fingers if the surrounding components are exposed or accessible. Only interact with the designated test points.

Use a properly rated multimeter and insulated tools when testing voltage. Test for live wires before touching any terminals or wiring.

The bypass button is for diagnostic testing only. Do not use it for normal operation. Understand its function fully before use — improper use can result in dangerous operating conditions.

Consulting a licensed electrician is always recommended for electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics. Working with live wiring is inherently hazardous — only proceed if you can guarantee appropriate safety measures are in place to perform the test safely and avoid injury.

Troubleshooting Steps

Verify the Power Supply

Use a multimeter to confirm the outlet is supplying 208V-240V. Verify the circuit breaker is rated 250V / 20A.

If a multimeter is not available, plug in another 208V-240V machine to the same outlet to verify power is present.

If neither option is available, consult a licensed electrician to verify the power supply. If possible, send photos of the multimeter readings for confirmation.

Test Using the Bypass Button

Locate the Bypass Button on the contactor — refer to the diagram below, highlighted in red.

With the machine plugged in, use a non-conductive tool or insulated probe to press the Bypass Button. This bypasses the overload relay and attempts to start the motor directly.

Observe whether the motor starts.

Motor Starts

The overload relay may have tripped. Proceed to Step 3 to reset it.

Motor Does Not Start

Issue is likely with the power supply or contactor. Revisit Step 1 or contact support.

Contactor — Bypass Button & Reset Button Location

Contactor diagram showing bypass button and reset button locations

✓

Reset the Overload Relay

Locate the Reset Button next to the Test button on the contactor — it is typically marked with a plus sign with an (A) for Automatic reset on one quadrant and (H) for Hand or manual reset. Refer to the diagram in Step 2.

Check whether the Reset Button is sticking out — this indicates the relay is in the (H) Hand or Manual reset position requiring the reset button to be pressed in to reset the tripped relay.

If tripped, use a philips head screw driver to press the button back in and turn it a quarter turn to lock it in the Automatic (A) reset position which will automatically reset the relay in the event of a trip event.

Try starting the machine normally using the green start button.

If the machine starts successfully, the issue was a temporary overload condition that caused the relay to trip. If the relay trips again repeatedly, this may indicate an underlying electrical issue — further diagnostics are recommended.

If the machine still fails to start after completing all steps, please contact our support team for further electrical diagnostics.