Ground wire does not need to be insulation. Your best bet will be to run 10-2 wg from your panel to a junction box near where you will have the compressor set up. From there you can run 10-2 wg SO cord from the jbox to the compressor pecker heat. For mobility purposes, however, it would be best to put a receptacle in the box with a plug on the SO cable.

 

Thanks Chandler


Outlet + plug was my first option since I already have a NEMA 6-30 receptacle BUT I have read on many places that plugging motor over 2HP is a bad idea because…?!? (could not find, maybe earth will shatter). My 3hp table saw itself came prewired with a 250v/20amp plug…


Anyway I have heard both sides. Some claiming that using Nema 6-30 for 5hp motor is Dangerous since their rating is 2 hp while other people have done it with no problem.

 

Although the supplier is claiming 5hp, don't go betting the farm on it. You should be using the following plug/receptacle for your compressor if rated at 30 amps.

 

You will need a disconnect which the plug would provide. I think that's your best option.

 

thanks to both of you


I have also been able to find a photo of the motor and the is a SPL written on it. If i undertand correctly this means that the running hp is far lower than the rated HP.


anyways I will probably try the plug method at first using a 6-30 :


https://www.leviton.com/en/products/5372


the 10-30 you showed are harder to find here in canada or at least where i live.


If this cause trouble then I will just run a flexible wire to a junction box, use plastic caps to connect it to solid wire then run it to the breaker box then use the breaker as a disconnect since it will be about 3 feet from the compressor

 

I hooked mine up, and others, directly with 1/2" seal-tite and thhn conductors to a 4S j-box nearby and EMT on back to the panel, which was within sight and under 50' away to qualify as the code required disconnect. It's not like you need it to be portable.

My cousin wanted his on plug and cord so he paid about $40 more for the hardware. If you go that route, best to use SO cord (not SJO) since it's tougher.

You'll probably find SOOW since that's what SO has now turned into.

 

Yep my flexible 10awg is a soow.

If I choose the hardwiring route how should the jonction box be.

I have a wheather proof 4x4 (the grey one you use outside against rain, snow etc.). Is it as simple as connecting the solid wires to the stranded wires using twist-on connectors (marettes), put the cap back on the box...Profit!

I don't need any disconnect since the compressor is 3' from the electric box and will use the breaker anyway

 

Sounds like you have it figured out.

 

-22Amp

-Seller states 5HP

I found that interesting. My big compressor claims 6hp and 15 amps. A friend advised me to put it on a 20amp breaker to prevent tripping during restarts. I did so 25+ yrs ago and have had no power issues. Mine has 10/2 running directly from the breaker box to the motor.

 

Hey mark

That must then confirm a lot of thread I read about misleading infos on the real hp of air compressor.