Aircompressor tripping breaker

[daddycreswell]

Last night as I was building a box and using my finish nailer my air compressor tripped my breaker, so I clicked it back on and it done it again. Reset tripped again. I took the cover off the breaker box and put a meter on it, it was pulling 14.2 amps on a 15 amp breaker. It's a small craftsman 5 gallon I think, it's never done this before and knowing nothing about electrical what should I do? I don't use it everyday just time from time.

 

[lakeroadster]

I'd try swapping in a new breaker before making any wiring changes.

If that doesn't work:

• what gauge wire goes from the breaker to the compressor?
• how long is the wiring from the breaker to the compressor?
• Aluminum or Copper wiring?
• what is the amp rating stamped on the compressor motor?
• wired 110 or 220?

 

[jjwangler]

A 15 amp breaker is actually only good for 12 amps. 80% continuous use. Anything above 12 amps is an overload and will eventually trip. Once the breaker has seen over current it will take less time to trip until it cools down. If your drawing 14 amp you will need a 20 amp breaker and upsize your wire to a number 12.

Hope that helps. By the way I'm from Canada so not sure if code is the same there.

 

[pancho400cid]

You should also check the compressor motor nameplate. It should say what the full-load amps (FLA, MAX Operating CURRENT, or something similar) is for the motor.

For example, if the nameplate says 7.0 full load amps and you are drawing 14 amps running, then the issue is with the compressor or motor... not your house wiring.

14.2 amps on 115 to 120 VAC means the true running HP of the motor is "about" 3/4 to 1.0 HP. Don't pay attention to the HP number printed conspicuously on the compressor. That is a BS number for marketing purposes. The motor nameplate may or may not give the true running HP.

 

[Flange]

Check for faults. If none then go and Google "Inrush"

You might need a different curve on your mcb.

Its a common issue with stuff like compressors.

 

[nahuebsch82]

I had a similar issue but mine also had the electric motor "bogging down." What resolved it was not using an extension cord. I don't know if that's what you did in this case, but it's worth a shot if so.

 

[sleepy127]

Are you using it with an extension cord? It will pull more amps that way and will trip breakers. Use a larger guage extension cord if you can. They aren't cheap but worth it.

 

[Streetbu]

We had the same issue at work with our 80 gallon IR compressor. We only had the issue when temps dropped below 25 degree's. We have 10ga wire and a 30 amp breaker. Was only supposed to pull 22.8amps. ended up changing the breaker and knock on wood it's been fine since.

 

[Chris_H]

My 30 Gallon Craftsman compressor recently siezed up and was tripping the breaker. Your issue sounds like the compressor runs a bit an then trips the breaker?
The Saylor Beall two stage that I replaced it with is much nicer Good Luck!

 

[justsam]

Has the compressor been sounding any different?

If all has worked fine before, what has changed?

Has anything else been plugged into this same circuit recently?

I am assuming you measured steady running current as the compressor was approaching full pressure. Are those the conditions you saw 14.2 Amps? Measured with what?

If that small 5 Gallon compressor is really drawing 14.2 Amps that sounds high to me. What is it rated at?

 

[ColoMid]

My 30 Gal CH had the same problem suddenly. Bad start cap.

 

[Moose02]

my craptsman was also a capacitor gone bad

 

[gjz30075]

"if it's never done this before", perhaps you were on a different circuit before?

 

[big.jim]

Check for faults. If none then go and Google "Inrush"

You might need a different curve on your mcb.

Its a common issue with stuff like compressors.

this if its a b type breaker or type 2 its not a motor rated breaker you need a c type or type 3 breaker , this can make a lot of difference and transformers need d type or type 4