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220v compressor switch

K

Keel

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Hello, I've always used the circuit breaker as the on off switch ever since I had to move my shed last year (wifes orders,lol) as the switch on the unit is hard to get at , so now I'm rewiring it to the panel and rather add a real switch in the garage..
I bought a 30 amp switch, my question is how does one wire a switch into a 220 circuit?
never done it, and never needed one as the old shed was 4'x12' the new one is just as big as the compressor as it's just a temp thing until I can blow out one wall of the garage.. last winter we got hammered with snow, and with 4' of it, I didn't even try to go out to the switch on the unit, I just used the breaker, now that I'll be using the garage much much more I need to add a switch as I'm sure using the breaker as a switch was doing it no favors..
thanks for any help..
 
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Trey T

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with magnetic starter: break circuit at the relay coil or pressure switch

without magnetic starter: need a switch for a hot leg that can withstand the current
 
J

Jlarson

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There's a difference between a controller and a disconnect. The controller only needs to open enough of the ungrounded conductors to turn the thing off. A disconnect needs to open all the ungrounded conductors.

The standard green 30a spec grade toggles, are usually rated 2 Hp. If your compressor motor is large you'll need to look at motor starting toggles.
 
OP
K

Keel

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wyliesdiesels said:
First we need to know how many HP the compressor is and does it have a starter...
Click to expand...

It tis a 5hp 60 gallon Campbell ,has. that is 16 years old.. 220v single phase.. nothing special..
When it was in the old shed on the right side of garage, I used the switch on the compressor, when I was forced to move it,, because wife wanted to not look at it while in the breezeway.. I made the shed for it, 4x4 and didn't remember to look at where the switch/lever was when I made the template for the mounting studs for the feet that I buried in the slab.. so the switch is facing the back wall up against the fence, DOH..
it is wired from the compressor to a box that houses two fuses that look like fat double a batterys, lol and the face of the box you can pull out to kill power to the compressor.. but it's not a switch.. from there the wire goes into a pvc pipe and into the garage and then to the panel..
I want a switch in the garage, so I don't have to go out the garage go 40 yards unlock a gate, then go 10 yards and then try to reach over the pulley/belt guard to turn it on /off..
The tank has a electric purge to get the water out of the tank, so once the switch is put in, I don't have to leave the garage to turn it off/on..
The wiring is 10/3 overkill for a 20-25 amp draw max, but I have a 220 plug out there also for, if I need the welder out there..
If the 30 amp switch isn't what I need.. please tell me what to use.. like with a link to an example , so I'll be 100% sure I'm understanding what item I need..
The shed it is in is a temporary shed, but the compressor won't be moving, the bump out of wall of garage will just engulf where the shed is,, then I'll build a closet to enclose the compressor to keep the noise in the garage down..
So, even tho the shed is a temp thing, the wiring will be one and done..
Thanks for any help..
 
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pattenp

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Well if LaLaLand is subject to the NEC then the 5HP compressor (if motor is listed as 5HP) is to have the supply conductors sized for 28A X 1.25 = 35A. So, #10 THHN wire is okay or #8 NM-b is okay. You need a switch that's rated for at least 5HP. I personally think an AC disconnect is a good cheap solution. The one pictured has a 10hp rated switch.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D...e-Over-Current-Protection-QO200TRCP/202353314

Q0200TR.jpg
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Keel said:
It tis a 5hp 60 gallon Campbell ,has. that is 16 years old.. 220v single phase.. nothing special..
When it was in the old shed on the right side of garage, I used the switch on the compressor, when I was forced to move it,, because wife wanted to not look at it while in the breezeway.. I made the shed for it, 4x4 and didn't remember to look at where the switch/lever was when I made the template for the mounting studs for the feet that I buried in the slab.. so the switch is facing the back wall up against the fence, DOH..
it is wired from the compressor to a box that houses two fuses that look like fat double a batterys, lol and the face of the box you can pull out to kill power to the compressor.. but it's not a switch.. from there the wire goes into a pvc pipe and into the garage and then to the panel..
I want a switch in the garage, so I don't have to go out the garage go 40 yards unlock a gate, then go 10 yards and then try to reach over the pulley/belt guard to turn it on /off..
The tank has a electric purge to get the water out of the tank, so once the switch is put in, I don't have to leave the garage to turn it off/on..
The wiring is 10/3 overkill for a 20-25 amp draw max, but I have a 220 plug out there also for, if I need the welder out there..
If the 30 amp switch isn't what I need.. please tell me what to use.. like with a link to an example , so I'll be 100% sure I'm understanding what item I need..
The shed it is in is a temporary shed, but the compressor won't be moving, the bump out of wall of garage will just engulf where the shed is,, then I'll build a closet to enclose the compressor to keep the noise in the garage down..
So, even tho the shed is a temp thing, the wiring will be one and done..
Thanks for any help..
Click to expand...

Does your compressor have a starter? Or is the motor wired direct to the pressure switch. If direct to the pressure switch u need to make sure its rated for 5HP.

If your compressor has a starter then u can just wire a toggle switch to one side of the starter coil!
 
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K

Keel

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bczygan said:
Is there a reason you might want a fused disconnect?
Click to expand...

If you are talking about the box with the fuses in it, that is wired right beside the compressor? If so.. My dad's friend that does this for a living, wired it that way.. My guess is it is code.
He was great.. We wired the whole house, new panel, new 100amp service, the house was 30 or 50 with fuses, three circuits for the whole house..
He explained how to do things as we wired so I learned allot, but This is one thing we didn't do.. a 220 switch.. and he isn't avail.. to ask ..
 
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sberry

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It needs to be motor rated and will say so on the fine print but its not likely. Use one of the AC disconnects like Patten posted. Here is another thing. If it is leak free and stays pumped up it is already off, the only real reason for a switch is service safety disconnect. If a guy has secondary leaks put a ball valve after it enters the garage. That is as good a switch as any, don't leak, comp doesn't start.
 
Last edited:
OP
K

Keel

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wyliesdiesels said:
Does your compressor have a starter? Or is the motor wired direct to the pressure switch. If direct to the pressure switch u need to make sure its rated for 5HP.

If your compressor has a starter then u can just wire a toggle switch to one side of the starter coil!
Click to expand...

How would one, tell if the motor has a starter.. I'll go look after I get back from having a windshield put in my INDY...
hopefully 3rd times a charm..
1) appointment,, glass installer dropped it..
2) have glass no trim , it was to have it..
3) will be today and I got the trim.. and they will be deducting what it cost me.. as the glass vendor didn't have any other units to look in to see if the trim was there..
Genuine 1984 g.m. part.. took all of 10 seconds for the national search to come up with it, The cost for it was "gold plated" ...
but that's another mess, I'll post later the motor,, read any labels, and snap a photo of it..
Have a great sat morning..
 
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K

Keel

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LaLaLand
sberry said:
It needs to be motor rated and will say so on the fine print but its not likely. Use one of the AC disconnects like Patten posted. Here is another thing. If it is leak free and stays pumped up it is already off, the only real reason for a switch is service safety disconnect. If a guy has secondary leaks put a ball valve after it enters the garage. That is as good a switch as any, don't leak, comp doesn't start.
Click to expand...

it doesn't leak, much but it does leak enough that it'll come on 5-6 hours later if you forgot to shut it off.. neighbor has a new born, I don't think they'd enjoy the compressor waking up jr, at 1 am.. summer time windows open, I try to be a good neighbor, that way when I start my new engine build with open headers they are understanding..lol it's that one hand washes the other type thing....
 
S

strutaeng

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Dallas, TX
OP, can you get an amp draw from the motor? I suspect you have a "5 HP SPL," which are falsely advertise and is more like a 15Amp, 3 HP motor.

If that's the case, the double pole, 20 Amp toggle switch would work similar to the one posted above from Home Depot.

The problem with this setup is that if you stop the compressor from the switch before cut-off pressure, you cannot start it again from the said switch because it was not unloaded (as it does from the pressure switch). In other words, your compressor won't start because it is under pressure. You will have to switch the pressure switch to "off" and unload before restarting.

Good Luck!
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
Keel said:
How would one, tell if the motor has a starter.. I'll go look after I get back from having a windshield put in my INDY...
hopefully 3rd times a charm..
1) appointment,, glass installer dropped it..
2) have glass no trim , it was to have it..
3) will be today and I got the trim.. and they will be deducting what it cost me.. as the glass vendor didn't have any other units to look in to see if the trim was there..
Genuine 1984 g.m. part.. took all of 10 seconds for the national search to come up with it, The cost for it was "gold plated" ...
but that's another mess, I'll post later the motor,, read any labels, and snap a photo of it..
Have a great sat morning..
Click to expand...

Take an overall pic of the compresser and post it here.

Do u have gray box on your compressor?

This is a starter:

Comp-6-1600x1071.jpg


maxresdefault.jpg
 
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