I am running electric to my new 5hp, 60 gallon air compressor. I read a supplement to the directions and they said to double the amps on the curcuit breaker to the maximum that is on the motor which is 22.5 amps. That would be 50 amps. The motor has #10 wire going to it which is good for 30 amps. I was planning on putting it on a 30 amp breaker but was just wondering why the directions said to double the amps and was also wondering what amp breaker everyone else was running to their compressors of similar size.
Pretty sure mine is a 30 amp breaker, I used my 220 line I set up for nutt's plasma cutter, and put a plug on some 12ga wire hooked up to the compressor.
I have a 6hp,, have never heard it stated like that before. I am running 12 gauge wire and a 30 amp breaker..had it for 10 years, 2 different houses. Never ever tripped the circuit.
Most Harry home owner shop compressors have a 6 hp which is rated around 15 amps so having a 30 amp breaker is doubling the rated value. I know you bought a 2 stage so your current rating is going to be higher because it probably has a bigger motor. The reason for doubling the circuit breaker is because current is highest at start up. It can be 10 times the motors rated amps. But it only last for a secong and the circuit breaker wont react that fast. Therefore you should put at least a 40 amp breaker on it. During normal operation it will probably draw less than 20 amps.
Most motors will be labled with current and start-up current figures. If undersized you will most likely see the breaker tripping when starting up under pressure.
I have my compressor on a 30 amp breaker and have had no problems so far. I ran #8 wire so I can up the amps if need be but I don't think I will. Everything turned out great!!
