Grinder electrical power question.

panch0

panch0

Joined
Jun 16, 2008
Messages
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I don't know too much about electrical wireing. I just wanted your advice on what I may need to get my grinder up and running. My buddy had a 100 breaker but he was around 100' from the box. I am about 16-20ft away. Do I still need the 100 breaker. Here is what is on the vari speed control box:

Genesis
AC Motor Speed Control

Model: KBAC - 240 (gry)(9987m)
input: 115/208 - 230 VAC - 50/60 hz
output: 0-230 VAC, 0-50, 60/100, 120hz
Rated 3.6 amps/phase

The motor was a big 3 phase which was taken to a electrical shop and reduced to a 220 was what I was told. Thanks for your help.
 
A circuit breaker is sized for the wiring it is protecting, not the load on the circuit or the length of the run. A 100 amp breaker should not be put on anything smaller than probably about 4 gauge wire because it will not protect anything smaller than that. Otherwise you risk a fire. So, can you tell me what size wire you have?

Also, do you know the full load amps of the motor?



I would expect you're probably going to need something like a 20 amp two pole breaker and a run of 10 gauge wire for a grinder, though there is no harm building a larger circuit that you can tap into for other stuff.
 
Circuit wiring is dependant on load (your grinder) as well as what size wire you have in the wall. Putting a 100 amp breaker in the breaker box and running 14 guage wire in the wall will result in the wiring in the walls melting before the breaker ever trips.

3.6 amps/phase= 10.8 amps draw on the circuit. A double pole 15 or 20 amp breaker should be lots to get you up and running if all you are powering is your grinder. If you plan on being able to run a welder of something with a heavier draw, I'd recomment a 50 amp breaker and the appropriate wiring to go along with it.

Im not an electrician, so hopefully one will be along shortly. Dont wire it up until someone more qualified adresses your question. The point i'm making is to not run out and buy a 100 amp breaker, you dont need anything close to that.

Brad
www.andersonknives.ca

edit: Nathan beat me to the post. I agree with what he is saying.
 
I have number 6 wire and not sure on how many amps the motor has. It was a three phase and was reduced to 220.
 
Thanks for the help so far. I had an electrician come over this morning and he told me about the 20 amp breaker. I was just confused cause the previous owner used 100 amp breaker. I will help him with the physical part but he is doing the technical side of it.
 
panch0 said:
I have number 6 wire and not sure on how many amps the motor has. It was a three phase and was reduced to 220.
Click to expand...

If you have size 6 wire you can run a 50 or 60 amp breaker. That will be more than enough power to run any reasonably sized motor (~10HP)
 
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