220v for compressor wiring
#1
03-03-10, 11:11 AM
220v for compressor wiring
Hey guys,
When we had our house built I asked the electrician to add 220V into my garage for a future compressor. Well I picked up a used compressor yesterday and went to plug it in... but the plugs are different. I'm attaching a picture of the wall plug, the compressor motor (which says 240V) and the plug that's on the compressor. Is it ok to just change the plug on the end of the compressor to one that matches the wall plate?
Thanks!
When we had our house built I asked the electrician to add 220V into my garage for a future compressor. Well I picked up a used compressor yesterday and went to plug it in... but the plugs are different. I'm attaching a picture of the wall plug, the compressor motor (which says 240V) and the plug that's on the compressor. Is it ok to just change the plug on the end of the compressor to one that matches the wall plate?
Thanks!
Last edited by the_dude; 03-03-10 at 01:11 PM.
#2
03-03-10, 11:52 AM
If the electrician was smart he would have asked you the amp rating of the compressor. With out knowing that whatever he did was pure guess. Tell us the breaker size, wire size to receptacle, and amp draw of the compressor and we can help you.
#3
03-03-10, 12:17 PM
Originally Posted by the_dude
I'm attaching a picture
Is it ok to just change the plug on the end of the compressor to one that matches the wall plate?
#4
03-03-10, 01:05 PM
thanks for the replies. I'm trying to figure out why the pics aren't working and I'll move them. The Motor itself says it's 1phase, 14amps, max 3450 rpm. Motor Model # MO-3024 built by A.O.Smith on a devilbiss compressor. The breaker is two 15amp breakers, and the wiring is NMD90 14AWG.
Thx
edit: ok pics should be working.
Thx
edit: ok pics should be working.
#5
03-03-10, 01:32 PM
It would be very borderline to run the compressor on your existing 15A circuit given that the motor rating is 14A. The compressor currently has a 20A (6-20P) plug on it, but it was clearly added aftermarket so no telling if it's the right one from the mfg. You could replace the plug on the compressor with a 6-15 and see if it will start without tripping the breaker.
Honestly I would only want to run this compressor on a 20A circuit.
Honestly I would only want to run this compressor on a 20A circuit.
#8
03-03-10, 02:51 PM
I’d talk to the electrician if he installed this without knowing the amperage for your compressor he made a mistake in my opinion. He should have asked. He needs to correct his mistake hopefully at reduced cost.
#9
03-03-10, 03:11 PM
Group Moderator
Originally Posted by ray2047
I’d talk to the electrician if he installed this without knowing the amperage for your compressor he made a mistake in my opinion. He should have asked. He needs to correct his mistake hopefully at reduced cost.
I do agree that if the electrician did not know what kind of compressor the HO was going to buy, he would have at least installed a 20 amp circuit. At least that is what I would have done.
#10
03-03-10, 03:13 PM
Originally Posted by the_dude
ok thanks. So can the breakers be switched out to 20A breakers?
#11
03-03-10, 07:31 PM
The 15 amp breaker may not trip initially with no air pressure in the tank, but when you start using air and the compressor starts to cycle under load, I think the 15 will trip.
#13
03-03-10, 08:31 PM
Thanks for all the replies. I suppose I'm going to have to pull a new wire. I may as well pull a 10Ga so I can put a 30Amp breaker on it. From what I am reading a 14A motor can draw up to 30A on initial startup 
#14
03-03-10, 08:46 PM
There is NO need for #10 wire. I'd run a new circuit with #12 wire and try a 20 amp breaker, I think it will be fine. If the 20 trips, change it to a 25 amp breaker (you might have to order a 25 amp brkr).
#15
03-03-10, 10:18 PM
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: wisconsin
Posts: 413
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
I have a air compressor that claims its 16 amp at 120v and it has a 14awg cord on and a nema 5-15 and Iv never had it trip a breaker on its own.
first try the 6-15 plug and see how it starts
However if this is a unit you will be using day in and day out then yes you better run 12 gauge wire but if its just to drive a few nails or pump up the kids bike tire...then you could probably live on that 15 amps
first try the 6-15 plug and see how it starts
However if this is a unit you will be using day in and day out then yes you better run 12 gauge wire but if its just to drive a few nails or pump up the kids bike tire...then you could probably live on that 15 amps
#17
03-04-10, 06:35 AM
Group Moderator
Originally Posted by ray2047
Pros, if the compressor was hard wired could the OP use #14 on a 20a circuit or am I remembering the code wrong? Or is the FL to close to use on #14.
#18
03-04-10, 07:43 AM
Originally Posted by CasualJoe
There is NO need for #10 wire. I'd run a new circuit with #12 wire and try a 20 amp breaker, I think it will be fine. If the 20 trips, change it to a 25 amp breaker (you might have to order a 25 amp brkr).
thx
#19
03-04-10, 07:57 AM
Group Moderator
Originally Posted by the_dude
So I can run a 25amp breaker (double) on 12/3?
thx
thx
