wiring for compressor

[Ray C.]

Looking for advice on wiring a 5hp (11.8peak) compressor. I have a little ways to go-up about 5 feet out of service, 30 feet across ceiling and down another 5 feet. Not sure if I need 50 or 30 amp breaker and would 10-3 wire be ok? thanks for any help.

[Sandy]

Well just for discussion sake we'll say that for a 120/115 volt motor you need to figure about 10 amps per horse. For a 230 volt set-up figure 5 amps per horse. So whether it is 120 OR 230 will really be the big deciding factor. Big difference there. Another consideration is if it is truly 5 horse or just rated at five horse. Compressor manufacturers do some fuzzy math to come up with their numbers.

Number one item will be to find the tag on the motor itself or in the manual/spec sheets and find out what they say the amps actually are then go from there. Untill then we're just guessing. If no tag or valid amp info is available the minimum requirement is the voltage and horse power rating then do some ciphering.

Sorry couldnt help more.