I want to hook up 220 in my garage for a air compressor I just bought, I've ran a 110 line to the garage before for a smaller air compressor, I have 200 amp service panel with plenty of open slots. The air comp has just 3 wires, red, black, and green. Do the breakers go in the same way as the 110v breakers? If somebody could give me the basics I'm sure I can do it,! THANKS, MARK

You will use a two pole breaker. The red and black will connect to the breaker, the green is your ground. Read the label on the motor to verify the amperage and choose the wire and breaker accordingly. The breaker goes in exactly like the 120v breakers, except that it takes up two slots in the panel.

If you are in the U.S.A. the voltage is 240.

Question,

Should not the poster get the nameplate amperage off the motor plate and then get the "Full Load Current" out of the tables in Article 430, to correctly size the conductors and required breakers or is this overkill?

How many hp is the motor, and how far away will the compressor be from the power or socket.

What is the full load amps say on the lable of the motor.

thanks guys... it's 6.5hp... 15amp... l.r amps = 93... output 298kw... this is what's on the motor

Use a 20 amp breaker for that... 12 ga. Wire.

I bought 10gauge wire, the compressor is about 25 ft away from the breaker panel, and a 20amp breaker, is this OK? Over kill. Or not enough ? Going to put a plug on it because I want to plug in a 220 welder too!

It's absolutely fine. It will also allow you to move up to a 30 amp breaker should your needs change.

Hook the compressor up,and plug and wire 25' is long enough,let us know how its going.

Now I'm confused. Are you running a circuit for the compressor using 10/3 wire, or are you putting a 10/3 wire on the compressor with a plug on the end of it? Not quite the same. Fuseman's last post has me wondering exactly what it is you are doing, and could definitely change the advice given.

OK, I'm running 10/2 wire ( red, black, green) from the breaker panel, 25ft into the garage (attached) to a plug in the wall, then 10/2 wire from the compressor to the plug, about 5ft, (20amp breaker in the panel ) I'm using a plug so I can plug in a 220v wire welder also!! (when compressor's not plugged in)