Circuit Breaker And Wire Size For 5HP Air Compressor

Thunderpigeon · Sep 3, 2010

I am in the process of hooking up my air compressor. The compressor has a 5 horsepower motor and will be located 45 feet away from the main electrical panel box. What size circuit breaker should I use, and what gauge wire should I use?

phiftyseven · Sep 3, 2010

Will need more info before that can be answered. Single phase or Three phase ? What voltage will you be using ? What's the amp draw on the motor nameplate ?

Thunderpigeon · Sep 3, 2010

It is a single phase, 230 volt motor. The plate on the motor indicates 23 FLA and 25 SLA.

sberry · Sep 3, 2010

These type of comps run fine from a 10 wire and 30 breaker.

Thunderpigeon · Sep 3, 2010

Is 30 amps and 10 gauge a rule of thumb or is it based on a calculation?

JBurgess · Sep 3, 2010

Here's a calculator for motor branch Circuits.

http://www.electrician2.com/calculators/motor_ver_1.html

sberry · Sep 3, 2010

JB is correct to use the calculator and my take was a general rule due to the fact that although it is listed as 5 hp it is closer to 4 real hp. The calc says 8 and one reason I suspect is the allowance for heavy breakers. I am sure it has happened but I haven't seen one of that class trip a 30 and doubt it would ever a 40. The calc is for cable, a wire in pipe would change things a bit also.
A ? for JB and others, I see new breakers are listed with 60/75, this would change the calc also to allow 10? Apparently romex must be used with 60 degree termination?

Aceman · Sep 3, 2010

Code says #8 Romex minimum on a 35-70 amp breaker.

I'd use #8 on a 40 amp breaker personally.

type11966 · Sep 3, 2010

I have a 5hp 24 amp draw. I used a 30amp breaker and 10-2 with ground romex. My licensed electrician friend help me.

type11966 · Sep 3, 2010

Here is my compressor and the small one in front of it that it replaced.

sberry · Sep 3, 2010

You have an owners manual for that? Just curious if the wire sizes are listed in installation instructions?

Thunderpigeon · Sep 3, 2010

Thank you for the responses.

I don't have the manual. It is an older Atlas Copco Automan direct drive compressor.

dhmcmeans · Apr 1, 2022

Using 50A breaker and 8-gauge wire

cvairwerks · Apr 1, 2022

Zombie thread....only 12 years this time....

wyliesdiesels · Apr 1, 2022

cvairwerks said:
Zombie thread....only 12 years this time....

with incorrect info in it

dhmcmeans · Apr 1, 2022

I meant...

Sorry I posted anything!

mike93lx · Apr 1, 2022

dhmcmeans said:
So what?
Info is info

Don't like my 8-gauge wire on 50A breaker?
It's 9' long

If you want to make power, get a Hemi

Pretending your diesel, whatever is "fast", that's pitiful

On the other hand, I likely burn more diesel in a week than you do in a year

Diesel is for getting money and nothing else

Hell of an intro

Neggy · Apr 1, 2022

what is with these one or two post wonders and necro-threads.... and arguing about it too.

Need to look at the forum software and limit anyone with less than 25 posts from posting without moderator review.

dhmcmeans · Apr 1, 2022

Of course, you must silence anyone saying anything you don't like
Apply for the moderator job
Perfect for you!
I got work to do...I'm out!

mike93lx · Apr 1, 2022

Neggy said:
what is with these one or two post wonders and necro-threads.... and arguing about it too.

Need to look at the forum software and limit anyone with less than 25 posts from posting without moderator review.

At least this one sounds like a tough guy

Neggy · Apr 1, 2022

I'm too old for this sh*t ....

The gene pool needs some chlorine....

cvairwerks · Apr 1, 2022

DH: Don't run off, you just managed to revive a thread that was 12 years old. Not everyone catches the date stuff the first time. It happens to all of us once in a while. Laugh at yourself, along with us laughing about the thread being a zombie. I guarantee that all of us have done a brain fart or two on here and unless it would get someone hurt or dead, there's a little redfacing and some giggles and we go on.

u2slow · Apr 1, 2022

The new forum software (here and most everywhere else) loves to suggest related/old threads at the bottom. I reckon if that 'feature' was defeated we'd see far fewer occurrences of necro-thread-revival.

wyliesdiesels · Apr 1, 2022

u2slow said:
The new forum software (here and most everywhere else) loves to suggest related/old threads at the bottom. I reckon if that 'feature' was defeated we'd see far fewer occurrences of necro-thread-revival.

you can make that suggestion in the editors sub forum here

Questions & Suggestions

Got questions about the board? Maybe a suggestion or two? Fire away...

www.garagejournal.com

wyliesdiesels · Apr 1, 2022

HA! someone already made a post about the issue

Idea: "Alert" for users reviving old threads

Over the past few months I've noticed a big trend of new users posting in and reviving threads that are 5, 10, even 15 years old. Has there ever been a thought enabling a feature I've seen on a few other forums that says something to the effect of "the thread you are posting in is several years...

www.garagejournal.com

Norcal · Apr 1, 2022

Seeing old threads with posters long gone, either by their choice, or not their choice can be strange.

PoorUB · Apr 2, 2022

I like the single post from a long gone member of the forum looking for a solution to a problem, then 10 years after the thread died someone responds with a solution to his issue! Like the OP will just pop in a check it out 10 years later and he has not been on since!

I still think locking any tread that has not had activity in maybe a year could be locked. Someone can link to it and start a new thread, but not post on the old thread and revive it.

nzjkb5 · Nov 9, 2024

Old threads are useful for those of us who are lurking and looking for information or to solve a problem, even if the original post is (in this case) 14 years old.

Metal-Marc · Nov 10, 2024

nzjkb5 said:
Old threads are useful for those of us who are lurking and looking for information or to solve a problem, even if the original post is (in this case) 14 years old.

Old threads might be usefull but that's not an excuse to bump them up. And I say "might" because the electrical code changes and some info becomes irrelevant.

mikedodge · Nov 11, 2024

Or answering a question that was hopefully already figured it out already in the last 15 years.

Bunchgrass · Dec 7, 2024

Why are some people so whiny about old threads being resurrected? Part of the purpose of GJ , or what I thought was the purpose, was to provide information and feedback for users looking for help or information. Sure, some bragging and showing of our places and new stuff is included but the real value is in access to information and ideas. If that's in an older thread, fine. Who cares?

mikedodge · Dec 8, 2024

There's nothing wrong with resurrecting an old thread to update on a project or add information. But to answer a question that was asked and already answered over a decade ago? There's no point.

u2slow · Dec 8, 2024

Bunchgrass said:
Why are some people so whiny about old threads being resurrected?

Usually it's Admins or Mods... (has been in my experience anyway)

I believe that the way forums are run and paid for with ad traffic, that new activity (threads) presents more favourably than posting to old threads.

Circuit Breaker And Wire Size For 5HP Air Compressor

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