Wiring Question

[Phill Tibbetts]

Is it ok to run 10-3 rubber jacketed wire from a breaker box to a 220 volt air compressor, or do I have to run Romex to a box with a receptacle and from the box to the compressor with rubber coated wire with a plug? I have a bunch of rubber covered 10-3 I could use but the romex is very expensive. I have a 30 amp 220v breaker.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Is it ok to run 10-3 rubber jacketed wire from a breaker box to a 220 volt air compressor, or do I have to run Romex to a box with a receptacle and from the box to the compressor with rubber coated wire with a plug? I have a bunch of rubber covered 10-3 I could use but the romex is very expensive. I have a 30 amp 220v breaker.

It would work, whether it would be up to code in your area may be an issue.

 

[TerryfromSWIowa]

How far?

 

[m16ty]

It will be fine to use the cord, but it probably won’t pass code.

You’re right about romex, I bought a 250’ roll of 14-2 the other day and about fainted. I only needed 110’, but it was cheaper to buy 250’ than it was to buy a 100’ roll and a 25’ roll, or buy it by the foot.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

How far?

About 12 feet.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

It will be fine to use the cord, but it probably won’t pass code.

You’re right about romex, I bought a 250’ roll of 14-2 the other day and about fainted. I only needed 110’, but it was cheaper to buy 250’ than it was to buy a 100’ roll and a 25’ roll, or buy it by the foot.

95$ for 25 feet of 10-3.

 

[Ray,IN]

IMO it will be OK. If questioned, it's ran that way for testing before installing to code.

 

[moresmoke]

Could you not mount an outlet box direct to your breaker panel? Thats what I have and the compressor plugs in there with a cord. Compressor sits on a little wood pallet. When I want to clean, I can unplug it and roll it out of the way with a pallet jack.

If you do go direct to the panel and are worried about code, at least be sure to use the proper cord grip connector and not a romex clamp.

 

[TerryfromSWIowa]

I would do what Moresmoke posted. plug at breaker box.

 

[Lumbersawyer]

No different than a cord for a RV. I run a 220v extension cord for my welder and air compressor when I want to weld outside of the garage. I run my 5hp Lathe and 2hp Bridgeport on extension cords. They just have to be rated for the amp load of your equipment.

 

[drsportster]

It depends on how you run it and secure it with straps But normally not any code violations A s cord runs across my ceiling to a mill on the far side of my shop ,

 

[drsportster]

It will be fine to use the cord, but it probably won’t pass code.

You’re right about romex, I bought a 250’ roll of 14-2 the other day and about fainted. I only needed 110’, but it was cheaper to buy 250’ than it was to buy a 100’ roll and a 25’ roll, or buy it by the foot.

So how much was the roll ?

 

[Stephen Newell]

The rubber wire is probably stranded wire which would handle the power better. The romex is better insulated for fire resistance.

 

[Dusty MI]

All wire is rated to carry loads rated in amps. The advantage with stranded wire is that it in more flexible.

 

[m16ty]

So how much was the roll ?

Right at $100.

Last 250 roll I bought was about $27, it's been awhile. When I built my house in '06 I think 14-2 roll was $27 and 12-2 was $37.

 

[kencombs]

There's code and then there's it will work.

First, to meet code for a 5hp or bigger, it requires hard wiring as no commonly available (read cheap) cord caps or receptacles are rated for that hp.

Your 10/3 will work but probably won't pass inspection. I'd probably run some 1/2" steel conduit and 2 strands of 10thhn and use the conduit for ground. Cheaper, looks neater and perfectly safe. Terminate that run into a 4x4 box and use a piece of your romex as a whip from it to the compressor.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I would do what Moresmoke posted. plug at breaker box.

X2

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Could you not mount an outlet box direct to your breaker panel? Thats what I have and the compressor plugs in there with a cord. Compressor sits on a little wood pallet. When I want to clean, I can unplug it and roll it out of the way with a pallet jack.

If you do go direct to the panel and are worried about code, at least be sure to use the proper cord grip connector and not a romex clamp.

I thought of that and it would save on the romex.. Doing this for my nephew and trying to save him some money if I can. Probably what I will end up doing. I have most of the stuff in my collection of goodies.

Could you not mount an outlet box direct to your breaker panel? Thats what I have and the compressor plugs in there with a cord. Compressor sits on a little wood pallet. When I want to clean, I can unplug it and roll it out of the way with a pallet jack.

If you do go direct to the panel and are worried about code, at least be sure to use the proper cord grip connector and not a romex clamp.

Decided to take your suggestion and mount a box on the panel. Thanks to all for the suggestions.

 

[Dusty MI]

Get an off-set conduit nipple with bushings.

 

[Watthour]

There's code and then there's it will work.

First, to meet code for a 5hp or bigger, it requires hard wiring as no commonly available (read cheap) cord caps or receptacles are rated for that hp.

Your 10/3 will work but probably won't pass inspection. I'd probably run some 1/2" steel conduit and 2 strands of 10thhn and use the conduit for ground. Cheaper, looks neater and perfectly safe. Terminate that run into a 4x4 box and use a piece of your romex as a whip from it to the compressor.

That's not correct.

Working in a facility that has seven of its own substations, indoors, with 15kV feeders, 1200A bus feeds, and bus plugs/drops distributed all over its 400,000+ ft² ceilings, there is NO NFPA limitation on service cord length. There are practical limits, and I/R drop restrictions, but national codes do not prohibit that. Using strain reliefs at cord terminations, suspension at intervals that meet NEC tables, and appropriate caps/plugs for connections will make it perfectly acceptable.

Local jurisdictions' inspectors often have their own opinions, however. To circumvent that, one needs only to ask them for a published copy of their code(s). That usually shuts them up permanently since with the exception of larger counties and cites, most municipalities never truly formalize their "codes' and if they do, anything that contradicts NEC can be disputed, while restrictions that adhere to NEC but are more stringent usually cannot. There again, pointing out the codes published by NFPA including the exceptions and details will often resolve any discrepancies.

Residential inspectors are actually the worst to deal with, since they need to be educated just about every time they show up, and yet can still become a PITA for approvals. Appealing their misjudgements usually only annoys them, so even when they are educated and overturned they continue to be obstacles.

That said, the EMT/THWN solution is certainly "code" about everywhere and probably the most economical, albeit with a pulled in equipment grounding conductor.