Electical Question

308sniper

308sniper

Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
808
I just bought a new 80gal 5HP air compressor and I would like to wire it direct to the panel. Need some help on what size breaker and wire I should use.

Here is the sticker on the motor

Thanks in advance

Will

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There is a great wire size calculator here --> http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

For example, if you were to use a 30 amp breaker on a 240 V single phase line with a 100 foot cable run using 10 AWG copper wire, you would have ~6 volt drop, getting you close to your 230V requirement for that motor. Lots of variables. Use the above calculator to check it out. If this needs further explanation then for your own safety, please use a professional. 240V is nothing to mess around with. Hope this helps...
 
I have my 5 horse metal lathe on a 30 amp 2 pole breaker with 8 gauge wire. I always go one gauge heavier than recommended when I can afford it. The lathe was wired by the electrician with a 30 amp dryer style receptacle and plug.

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sunshadow said:
I have my 5 horse metal lathe on a 30 amp 2 pole breaker with 8 gauge wire. I always go one gauge heavier than recommended when I can afford it. The lathe was wired by the electrician with a 30 amp dryer style receptacle and plug.

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I am an commercial electrican. I had 19 years in the trade before I had to quit. I all ways go one step higher when I do my side jobs. I ran wire for a duplex rec out in my storage and I used 12 awg I could of got away with 14awg.
 
I agree on going one gauge over with most things. One problem in this case is when going one size higher, you may be tempted to go aluminum. If you can't find 8Ga copper, go with 10 unless you know your connections are designed with aluminum in mind. Since it will be dedicated to the compressor, you'll never be putting more than a 25A (just a bit less according to the plate) load on it anyways.
 
What Cap and everyone else (pretty much) said.

Don't lick the wires to find out if they're connected either, Bill... ; )
 
Aluminum wires
start electrical fires

hey that rhymes
good way to remember it (my father was a fire inspector for a while when I was a kid, I used to develop the investigation photos)
there may be something other than cheap beer cans that aluminum is good for but wiring is not it, always go with copper

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One more thing to look into is if it needs a neutral ! If I were you i would run a 10/3 just for future even if it doesnt require it and cap it off !
 
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