What Size Breaker For An Air Compressor? (Find Out Now!)

Air compressors come in many different sizes and capacities, making them a variable and useful tool for the average homeowner. Choosing the right size breaker for your air compressor is essential not only for optimal tool performance but for overall safety in your home. A breaker that is the right size will keep you safe and allow you to finish your project without interruption.

The right size breaker for your air compressor will depend on the amperage required to run the unit. You will need to convert the air compressor’s horsepower to watts and determine the voltage required to run the unit. Dividing the watts by the volts will determine the amps needed for the dedicated circuit.

Of course, it is essential to remember that powering the air compressor and pressurizing the device will pull additional strain and power draw in the circuit, so it is always best to overestimate the required amperage. If your circuit has a fuse, only use a time delay fuse with an air compressor to ensure proper tool use. It may be possible to combine several tools together with an air compressor on the same circuit, if the total amperage does not exceed the breaker limit. If the limit is exceeded, it could result in a continually tripped breaker or potential power surge through your electrical system.

Using the wrong size breaker can have severe problems with running your air compressor. Breakers are intended as a measure of protection, keeping you and your electrical system safe. Using the wrong breaker could not only inadvertently trip the breaker, but it could damage the breaker itself.

Plus, using the wrong size breaker will lead to frustration and possible damage to the air compressor. Not only will you have limited success with your project because your circuit will keep tripping, but you run the risk of possibly overheating your air compressor. The unit could overheat because the circuit is not adequately protected or the air compressor does not get the needed voltage to power the unit.

Finding the right size air compressor for your circuit breaker will allow you to successfully and safely run your air compressor without tripping the circuit. A circuit breaker is sized by the amount of amperage that flows through the circuit. However, an air compressor is measured by horsepower, which makes matching the two difficult with mixed units. To calculate the right size breaker for your compressor, you need some knowledge of electrical formulas.

To determine the right size breaker for your particular air compressor, you will need to:

When it comes to using multiple tools on the same breaker, you need to consider the total power draw to the breaker itself. Because breakers are designed to trip once the voltage and amperage have been exceeded, you always run the risk of overloading a circuit.

If you are trying to determine if you can connect other tools to the same circuit as your air compressor, you should do the same evaluation and calculation as above to determine the total voltage and amperage. If added together with an additional buffer to power the start-up, you are still under the total limit of the breaker; it may be safe to run multiple tools and appliances off the same breaker. Keep in mind, even simple electrical draws like lighting will decrease the amount of available voltage and amperage on a circuit.

Related Questions

What size air compressor is right for me?

The right size air compressor for you really depends on what your intended use for the compressor is. While some people are simply happy with an air compressor that will help inflate bicycle tires, other people require a powerful air compressor to power pneumatic tools.As a general rule, find the tool you want to use with the air compressor and read the necessary air pressure requirements. Multiply this requirement by 1.5 to help determine the right size air compressor for you. Although a smaller compressor may work, powering the compressor on and maintaining pressure will require additional power to ensure your tool works as intended.

What does it mean if my breaker trips with an air compressor?

A circuit breaker is intended to help keep you and your family safe in the event of a power surge. The breaker will trip  to cut power to the outlet drawing a significant amount of amperage. If your circuit breaker trips while you are running an air compressor, chances are you have exceeded the maximum power draw from that outlet.The breaker will trip as a safety measure to prevent overheating or possible fire. If you notice that your breaker is tripping, you may have too powerful of a compressor. Try to unplug other appliances that may be running on the same circuit to limit the power draw of the outlet.