Dedicated outlet in the garage

[Draztik]

I moved to a new house and need to get my compressor up and running again. I have an existing out I believe to be dedicated. Its currently on a tandem 20 amp breaker and I want to move it over to a new double pole 20 amp for my compressor. (I have space in my panel)

I turned off the breaker and checked every light/outlet in my house and the only one without power is the outlet I believe to be the dedicated outlet.

This outlet is also roughly 2 feet away from another outlet giving me another reason to believe its dedicated. Just above it is the central vac that was plugged into it. The reason I have not done this is because its labeled as bathroom receptacle which it is not as I tested all of them.

What say you? Is it safe to rewire it?

I've attached the outlet in question.

 

[justsam]

I agree that looks like a single (non duplex) 20 Amp receptacle that I suspect was provided to power the central vac. Are you going to no longer use the central vac?

It sounds like since you are suggesting a double pole breaker that you want 240VAC for your compressor. I see no reason to not change it to 240 VAC assuming the current requirements are within the limits of the 12 gauge wire it should now be wired with, and if a receptacle is used it is a proper 240vac receptacle. Put black tape on existing neutral conductor, which will no longer be neutral.

I am assuming the garage is attached since there appears to be multiple circuits to it.

 

[Draztik]

The central vac was plugged into this outlet, but i moved the vac over to the outlet next to it and works fine which you can see that it, and a refrigerator is plugged in. (vac is 110V 15amp)

Correct that I need 240 for my compressor and will tape the white end black to indicate hot. Just trying to avoid running running conduit to where I would like my compressor.

 

[md21722]

2HP compressor is the largest you can run on #12 NM-b.

3HP requires #10 NM-b (Romex) or #12 THHN in conduit.

5HP requires #8 NM-b (Romex) or #10 THHN in conduit.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The first question that shouldve been asked is what is the HP rating on the compressor...

 

[sendokatum]

2HP compressor is the largest you can run on #12 NM-b.

3HP requires #10 NM-b (Romex) or #12 THHN in conduit.

5HP requires #8 NM-b (Romex) or #10 THHN in conduit.

How much is it?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How much is what?

 

[nehog]

...i moved the vac over to the outlet next to it and works fine which you can see that it, and a refrigerator is plugged in. (vac is 110V 15amp)...

So you have a central vac rated at 15 amps, and a fridge rated at ?? amps on the same circuit? Unless that fridge is a very small one, I sense trouble there. And probably the central vac is spec'ed for a dedicated circuit.

 

[Mustang51js]

Did you check to see if bathroom outlets go off when breaker is off. Alot of times the gfi is put in garage and then ran to bathrooms to protect those outlets,someone may have replaced the gfi.

 

[sberry]

Good catch. I often ask what year a home may have been built on occasion. Actually trouble with modular and mobiles is easy.