I have a sears model 919.165230 air compressor. 5.5hp 120 volts When connected to a 20 amp circuit right at the source and with no other loads on, the compressor tries to start but trips the 20 amp breaker.It worked when new, then quit recycling automatically tripping the breaker and now doesn't start at all and trips the breaker. Can you help me?
If I did the math correctly, 5.5 HP is right at the boarderline of 20 amps, particularly for an older machine that has some deteriorating electronics.
What to do? Can you reconfig the motor to run on 220 Volts??? It would then run on 1/2 the amps.
If you have a dedicated 120 line for this compressor now ... all you have to do to change that to 220 is change the breaker (I presume you have a vacant slot to do this). Find the "neutral" for that wire (white) ane make it the "red" for your compressor line ... (and mark it as such for your future behefit) change the outlet from 110 V 20 A to 220 V 20 A. Both lines will run on #12 with G wire.
If you dont have a slot, you could change one of your standard slots to a "piggy back" remodeling style breaker (has two breakers in one slot). This will free up one slot in your panel for the new 220 (double pole) breaker.
Let me know what you think
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