I don't much about electricity so be easy with me.....I have a homemade phase converter which uses a 220 volt induction motor as an idling transformer. It was working great until a day or so ago. The problem is that when turned on the motor doesn't reach it's peak speed. It turns slowly and hums and soon after trips the circuit breaker. Occasionally it works properly but not often. It seems that about as often it will hum and not turn at all. At this point I'm afraid I'll damage something if I try to use it at all. Any ideas? Those that know....please comment any help at all would be appreciated.