If you have six wires, they will probably be marked U1-U2,V1-V2,W1-W2 in other words UVW are the three phases. If there is no markings use a multimeter to determine each seperate phase and mark the wires as above. If you connect your incoming cable to U1,V1 and W1. Connect U2,V2,W2 together, this will give you a star connected motor.
For Delta connection connect your incoming cable same as for star U1,V1,W1. Then connect U2 to V1, V2 to W1, and finally W2 to U1.
To prove this to yourself on a piece of paper draw as below
U1 0--------------------0 U2
V1 0--------------------0 V2
W1 0--------------------0 W2
and draw the connections as stated above and you will have the means to connect up motors for yourself.
Its true to say thats there are 3 seperate circuits in a standard single speed 3ph winding, however if the start (1s) and finish (2s) of each winding are not correctly identified this can cause problems. If a reverse phase condition exists the motor in question will not accelerate up to speed (particularly with 2 pole windings) and will cause an imbalance of phase currents. There is usually a difference between the 6 leads out from the winding, 3 colours on one side and 3 on the other. My advice is never to remove the leads out from winding from the terminal block if they all appear the same. If a reverse phase condition were to exist rectification is simple, each phase must be reversed one by one until the motor runs correctly but each succesive phase must be retuned to its original connection.
