roger_27
Very Senior Member
Posts: 1838
Loc: Yo Mamaville, CA
Reg: 05-08-01
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05-07-12 08:26 AM - Post#2223409
OK So someone gave me a very used (but working) 60 gallon air compressor! hurray!
the problem is that it was hard wires into their shop, so they had to cut the wires.
It's a 240 volt, 3 wire system. one wire is tan, one is black, and one is green.
Where I have it placed, there is a 3 prong, 240volt electric dryer plug nearby!
my plan is to buy some wire, buy a dryer plug, and use the 240 from that socket! one slight problem though: the electric motor on the compressor does not show an amperage on it. it has "FLA: 20.0" which is probably full load amps.
but what is full load amps?
I need to know the amperage, so I can put the correct breaker on my breaker panel. right now there isa 30 amp breaker (for a dryer)
here is all the writing on the electric motor:
Marathon Electric
CAT NO-D017
MODEL: 2ze56b34d5302f P
FR-56h-106 PH-1 type-B
AMB-40 degrees C INS-B3 DUTY-cont
DES - thermally protected
HZ-60
HP-5
RPM-3450
VOLT-230
FLA-20.0
SF-1.15
SFA-
CODE-H
any help is appreciated.
1980 C20 -- If it fits in a compact parking space, IT AINT A TRUCK!
1959 4 door Impala -- "You bought your dad that car? it looks like the Batmobile"
1977 Chrysler Cordoba -- It's a Mopar, but it's a nice looking Mopar! |
Edited by roger_27 on 05-07-12 08:27 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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YeniPenny
Dedicated Enthusiast
Posts: 5590
Loc: Biloxi, Ms
Reg: 11-26-01
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05-07-12 10:56 AM - Post#2223438
In response to roger_27
You will be just fine with what you have. Go for it.
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roger_27
Very Senior Member
Posts: 1838
Loc: Yo Mamaville, CA
Reg: 05-08-01
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05-07-12 11:51 AM - Post#2223450
In response to YeniPenny
I very much appreciate the input, but how will it be fine to have a 30 amp breaker with a 20 Full Load Amp item?
If there is some kind of short in the wire, and the breaker doesn't trip, won't it start a fire or something?
Or am I being too cautious? I don't know anything about electrical so please don't take my questions the wrong way!
1980 C20 -- If it fits in a compact parking space, IT AINT A TRUCK!
1959 4 door Impala -- "You bought your dad that car? it looks like the Batmobile"
1977 Chrysler Cordoba -- It's a Mopar, but it's a nice looking Mopar! |
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 wagonman100
Super Senior Member
Posts: 12937
Loc: Baltimore, MD
Reg: 11-27-04
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05-07-12 04:17 PM - Post#2223515
In response to roger_27
You'll be fine. If you have a short, it will draw way more than 30 amps and trip the circuit. The full load amperage would be the amps that the motor draws when it first starts up. You want the circuit to be rated for more amps than the device will draw.
I wired in my big compressor last year and it was a cinch. You can look up the wiring schematic online quite easily. In your case, you'll just be wiring in a plug, unless there isn't an on/off switch on the compressor itself. Sounds like there might not be one. I wired mine through a switch box because my compressor is in a shed and I wanted to be able to turn it on and off from inside the garage, plus it has no seperate on/off switch. You may want to do the same because it is not a good idea to keep plugging and unplugging the cord all the time. The one I used is rated for 75 amps and only cost around $20.00.
Jay
Some days it's not worth chewing through the restraints.
1999 Silverado Z71 4X4 extra-cab short bed
1983 Malibu Fauxmad - tubbed
1978 El Camino Kustomized
1972 Monte Carlo
1957 210 handyman wagon
1957 Nomad sport wagon |
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TAT_2
"12th Year" Silver Supporting Member, and Official CT Grim Reaper
Posts: 28960
Loc: "UNDER THE BOARDWALK"
Reg: 10-29-00
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05-07-12 04:55 PM - Post#2223539
In response to wagonman100
YES,THE "FEMALE" RECEPTACLE WILL LOSE ITS GRIP ON THE MALE PLUG AFTER TIME.
09 PONTIAC VIBE
08 PONTIAC G6
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_ -_-_-
08/01/12 >>> B'CAME VETTE'LESS,
JUST LIKE JEFFREY
********
PREVIOUS VETTE'S 58,68,70,76,78,85,90
********
NEXT ?
Blessed are the cross-eyed, for they will see God twice |
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roger_27
Very Senior Member
Posts: 1838
Loc: Yo Mamaville, CA
Reg: 05-08-01
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05-07-12 06:06 PM - Post#2223567
In response to TAT_2
Wow, I was planning on using the breaker as the on/off switch actually. But maybe I will get a switch. I will followup with pics when it's done. Can I bury 10/3 power cable? It will go along the floor of the house, and only 10 feet of it. In total its about 15 feet.
Thank you very much for the advice. Any other tips or info is much appreciated
1980 C20 -- If it fits in a compact parking space, IT AINT A TRUCK!
1959 4 door Impala -- "You bought your dad that car? it looks like the Batmobile"
1977 Chrysler Cordoba -- It's a Mopar, but it's a nice looking Mopar! |
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wagonman100
Super Senior Member
Posts: 12937
Loc: Baltimore, MD
Reg: 11-27-04
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05-08-12 04:45 AM - Post#2223688
In response to roger_27
There are direct bury types of wire, but I much prefer to have it in conduit. Much harder to damage by mistake that way.
Turning it on by the breaker will eventually weaken the breaker and it may start to trip even when there are no problems. You are much better off with a switch built for this purpose.
Jay
Some days it's not worth chewing through the restraints.
1999 Silverado Z71 4X4 extra-cab short bed
1983 Malibu Fauxmad - tubbed
1978 El Camino Kustomized
1972 Monte Carlo
1957 210 handyman wagon
1957 Nomad sport wagon |
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65_Impala
Very Senior Member
Posts: 1592
Reg: 12-29-02
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05-09-12 04:27 PM - Post#2224241
In response to wagonman100
The FLA is the full load amps and it is the current the motor draws when it is under full load. The FLA is not the current the motor draws as it is starting.
A 30A breaker should be suitable for starting and running a motor with 20A FLA.
Edited by 65_Impala on 05-09-12 04:29 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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wagonman100
Super Senior Member
Posts: 12937
Loc: Baltimore, MD
Reg: 11-27-04
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05-09-12 06:25 PM - Post#2224303
In response to 65_Impala
Thanks for the clarification 65. I was just thinking the motor usually draws it's highest amperage at startup, so that would be the full load. Didn't even think about it the other way. Stupid on my part.
Jay
Some days it's not worth chewing through the restraints.
1999 Silverado Z71 4X4 extra-cab short bed
1983 Malibu Fauxmad - tubbed
1978 El Camino Kustomized
1972 Monte Carlo
1957 210 handyman wagon
1957 Nomad sport wagon |
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 aghaga
"4th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 1478
Age: 58
Loc: Altavista, Va.
Reg: 07-05-08
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05-10-12 07:26 AM - Post#2224425
In response to wagonman100
Always remember that the green wire is the ground wire
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YeniPenny
Dedicated Enthusiast
Posts: 5590
Loc: Biloxi, Ms
Reg: 11-26-01
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05-10-12 09:24 AM - Post#2224466
In response to wagonman100
You may want to do the same because it is not a good idea to keep plugging and unplugging the cord all the time. The one I used is rated for 75 amps and only cost around $20.00."
I'll agree that it MAY not be a good idea to keep plugging and unplugging the cord, but I've been doing that for almost 12 years with no apparent wear on the plugs. I do have switches on my two compressors, but I plug and unplug each time I use them; otherwise, my wife gets a little bent out of shape when she can't use the dryer.
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Vaughn
"11th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 13553
Loc: Colorado Springs, CO
Reg: 08-08-04
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05-10-12 08:09 PM - Post#2224655
In response to YeniPenny
Circuit breakers are never intended to be used as switches - although a lot of people do it anyway.
Code requires a separate switch - and if a regional building guy catches you using a circuit breaker as a switch, they will slap you with penalties.
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KShortell
Senior Member
Posts: 3842
Loc: Chesapeake, VA, U.S.A.
Reg: 04-14-01
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05-15-12 06:42 AM - Post#2226101
In response to Vaughn
Also remember that the receptacle and the WIRING drive the proper circuit breaker AMPERAGE, not the load on it.
While you can put in a smaller breaker than the wire is rated for, you should NEVER put a larger breaker on a circuit than the WIRE is rated for in order to avoid melting/fire danger within the walls.
Good luck!
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