Compressor Ground

[Tscott]

I have completed the air piping in the shop and am now working on wiring the compressor. It is an Eaton 7.5 HP 1Ø 240VAC unit and will be fed from the panel with a 50A or 60A breaker with #6 wire in EMT. I know I can use the EMT as my ground, but I do not like doing that for safety reasons so I am going to run a separate ground.

My question is, can I run a reduced ground size, say a #10? I want to know what the NEC says about this.

It would save a bit of cash and help me uses some extra roles of #10 I have lying around.

Tom

 

[mrb]

yes, as long as your extra #10 is green

 

[Aceman]

Even #8 with a #10 ground would suffice, I'd use the 60 amp breaker to help with startup.

 

[Tscott]

Thanks guys, that is what I needed to know.

Tom