Wiring the Air Compressor...

[mpire]

I have a 60 gallon compressor with an 15 amp motor.

I currently use a twist lock plug and some sturdy 10/3 black cable.

Well, I want a right angle plug, and I can't find one locally without hunting...

So I was going to change the outlet out to a 3 prong "Dryer Replacement Cord" and just use a dryer power cord. That way it would be much lower profile.

Its 6 foot, 10/3 Gauge 30 Amp 7500 Maximum Watts.

Is there any reason that this cord wouldn't do just fine on my compressor?

 

[Stuart in MN]

It should work fine.

 

[Norcal]

It should work fine.

3-wire dryer plug is not a grounding plug.

 

[Aceman]

You could go to a 4-wire dryer recep/cord and not use the neutral.

 

[Norcal]

You could go to a 4-wire dryer recep/cord and not use the neutral.

Why? A proper 30A 250V right angle plug & receptacle is available.

 

[Aceman]

Why? A proper 30A 250V right angle plug & receptacle is available.

Because he said this:

Well, I want a right angle plug, and I can't find one locally without hunting...

So I assumed he couldn't find one. I was giving him other options...

 

[Joe92GT]

3-wire dryer plug is not a grounding plug.

Really? I thought the 3rd wire was a ground? Then when the code mandated 4 wire it added a neutral.

I am backwards on this?

 

[hillbilly1]

Really? I thought the 3rd wire was a ground? Then when the code mandated 4 wire it added a neutral.

I am backwards on this?

When that edition of code was in effect, the ground and neutral was combined, later editions seperated them for safety.

 

[babzog]

Really? I thought the 3rd wire was a ground? Then when the code mandated 4 wire it added a neutral.

I am backwards on this?

That was my understanding as well - two hots and a ground.

I got a 20gal compressor from my brother so it using the standard 220 three prong plug (cause the cord on the compressor came that way).

 

[mpire]

Ok, so I AM a little confused now.

I intend to wire it up as two hots and a ground.

Is this going to cause any adverse issues? Like someone plugging in a dryer 10 years down the road and setting the house on fire?

The plug itself is actually taken directly off the dryer plug thats approximately 30 inches away on the other side of the wall. I used plastic conduit, and the appropriate rub protection clips etc.

Here is a picture of the old and new plugs.

Here is the compressor wiring. I don't even have an option for a neutral wire. The blue tape is so I know this particular wire is the phase B for troubleshooting purposes.

 

[53sled]

Not to hijack this thread, but I just picked up a Black Max 60 gallon 6hp, 230v. When I opened the case, it has 2 wires going from the switch, to the motor. Where would I put a 3rd wire? Just ground to the body of the compressor where the screw is missing (next to UL Label)? Pictures are loading.

 

[pattenp]

Ok, so I AM a little confused now.

I intend to wire it up as two hots and a ground.

Is this going to cause any adverse issues? Like someone plugging in a dryer 10 years down the road and setting the house on fire?

The plug itself is actually taken directly off the dryer plug thats approximately 30 inches away on the other side of the wall. I used plastic conduit, and the appropriate rub protection clips etc.

Here is a picture of the old and new plugs.

Here is the compressor wiring. I don't even have an option for a neutral wire. The blue tape is so I know this particular wire is the phase B for troubleshooting purposes.

You're good with what you planned.

 

[pattenp]

Not to hijack this thread, but I just picked up a Black Max 60 gallon 6hp, 230v. When I opened the case, it has 2 wires going from the switch, to the motor. Where would I put a 3rd wire? Pictures are loading.

There is no third wire (neutral) just a ground which will hook to the wiring box case usually under a grounding green colored screw.

 

[53sled]

So, just like in the picture above, the motor only needs the 2 wires, and the green simply screws to the open spot on the base. I think I got it, thanks.

 

[pattenp]

So, just like in the picture above, the motor only needs the 2 wires, and the green simply screws to the open spot on the base. I think I got it, thanks.

Yes, your two supply hots will hook to the two open copper screw terminals adjacent to the two copper screw terminals that the motor is connected. Then the ground from your supply wire will hook to the metal switch box. Not sure what you're saying about the ground as being an open spot on the base. If the open spot is a connection point to the metal box then that's ok. The grounding point should not be a copper terminal is should be identified by being a green screw.

 

[AussieDan]

There are 2 different types of 30A 3-prong plugs & receptacles:

NEMA 6-30 250V 2-Pole, 3-Wire Grounding

This is a standard 250V 30A outlet with 2 hots and a ground. For your compressor this is what you want to use. Home Depot carries both receptacles and a 90 degree plug in this style (the same plug can actually be configured for 30A or 50A applications depending on how the pins are arranged).

NEMA 10-30 125/250 Volt 3-Pole, 3-Wire

This is an old-school 3-prong dryer plug which has 2 hots and a neutral and no ground. These are the outlets that have been replaced by the newer 4-prong 125/250 grounded 30A outlets.