So I somehow ended up with one of these:



It's a 230V 2hp air compressor and came with a pile of other equipment. Nobody knows if it works. Unfortunately, I don't have a 230V supply at my home or where I can work on stuff and cannot upgrade for various reasons. I do have 230-240V outlets at one of my worksites and can test it there - only one problem.



It appears to have been a stationary shop compressor wired into an electrical breakout box and the plug end has long since been removed.

Here's the question - what is the correct plug for the thing so I can plug it in to test? There were several options at the local home unimprovement center and the info on this thing seems a bit spotty. Here's the electric motor's data plate.



I know of the NEMA plugs, but I'm a bit confused - should this use a NEMA 6, 10 or 14 plug? Thanks for any help.

 

Make sure the green wire goes to a ground on the machine, then wire on a welder/dryer plug to match what's available at work. Green is ground/neutral, the other two are hot.

 

Okay, the whole cable assembly disappears into the motor housing, guess I will check to see if it's grounded to the chassis with my multimeter in the morning. Or should I take the housing apart to double check?

 

According to this chart it should be a 10 or a 14
NEMA Straight Blade Reference Chart

The other styles are for different voltages. The motor says 15 amps, but that might be a little touchy if your outlet is just a 15.

F6 has probably done many of these, but the first time I tried it, I'd want to have the switch or circuit breaker close at hand.

Good Luck,

hj

 

Get a plug that matches the ones on your jobsite. I swapped my compressor to 230 as soon as I got it in my shop. I have every tool that will run on 230 running on it's own 230 circuit. All my stationary tools have their own power circuit

 

agreed.
the green wire goes to the ground lug on the plug. the black and white wires go to the hot legs of the plug.

 

Okay, bringing this back up. This is the plug I have available at the site. This is a NEMA 10 of the type used for 230V dryers, right?

 

pretty much. just take that picture to home depot or lowes and ask for a plug to go into that outlet. they cost under $10

 

Soooo, first start attempt:


Surprisingly quiet for an air compressor. Everything seemed to work. Thanks for the help!

 

The joy of a cast iron oil lubed compressor. Much quieter than those oilless screamers.

 

I will not own a oil-less compressor. They are worthless.