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Electrical Wire and Cable


How to Wire a 3 Phase Air Compressor

How is an air compressor wired and where do the wires go? Wiring a 3 Phase Motor for an Air Compressor, The Basic Requirements for Wiring Electric Motors, 3 Phase Motor Circuits.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

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Air Compressor Electric Motor
Electrical Question: How is a 3 phase air compressor wired and where do the wires go?

This electrical wiring question came from Cody in Enid, Oklahoma.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Cody.

Wiring a 3 Phase Motor for an Air Compressor

air compressor

The Basic Requirements for Wiring Electric Motors

Electrical Service Panels

Electrical Power for 3 Phase Motors

3 Phase Motor Starters and Control Circuits

motor-relay

More about Wiring Electrical Control Relays

A Summary of Wiring 3 Phase Motors

More about Electrical Circuit Wiring

Basic House Wiring Circuits
home-electrical-circuits

House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers

This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing

electrical-wiring-code

More about Electrical Codes For Home Wiring

Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
2-pole-circuit-breaker

Home Electrical Circuit Breakers

A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Electrical Wiring and Home Electrical Wiring:
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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “How to Wire a 3 Phase Air Compressor”
  1. Michelle says:

    We are using a 3 phase 240 volt system and hooking up to an air compressor.
    We used a pressure switch by Square D part number 9013 FHG12MIX.
    The black and blue wires from the 3 phase are connected to the pressure switch and then connected to the motor. The red wire from the 3 phase is only connected to the motor.

    After 3 months the motor burnt out. I was wondering if the Red wire should be connected to the pressure switch and then connected to the motor, like the the black and blue wires?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Michelle,
    When controlling a 3 phase motor it is important to identify the HP size of the motor, which will help to select the type of motor controls. Most motors draw a great deal of amperage when they first start, therefor the motor will need some type of overload protection which is typically provided by a Motor Starter. Typical motor starter applications include a control circuit which then activates the motor starter. A control circuit can be wired to a pressure switch which would activate the motor starter. In this case, the motor starter would have all of the 3 phase wires running through the starter.
    To help you understand this with more detail I have placed additional information to this article which includes links to the motor control section where you will find more information and examples of typical wiring diagrams.
    Thank you for sharing your question about wiring a 3 phase motor,
    Dave

  3. J. Noland says:

    I have an air compressor I am currently trying to hook up and my old wiring is in conflict to the way the compressor I am installing was wired. I have changed the motor lead wires from 220 lv to 480 high voltage. The motor is 7 1/2 HP. I have a fused disconnect and motor starter. Please send link, thank you.

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi JN,
    Please follow the link in the article which says: More about Wiring Electrical Control Relays. There you will see the wiring diagrams for motor control relays.
    When changing the voltage of the motor be sure to see the wiring diagram on the motor label, and make sure of the circuit voltage which is supplied to the motor matches one of the optional voltage configurations of the motor.
    Dave