Originally Posted by
Frank Pratt
If I'm understanding correctly, you are suggesting Scott use the compressor without OL protection? If so, I'm going to strongly disagree with this.
If it is a machine that is always attended while in operation, then only the motor is at risk. But it's still a bad idea. An air compressor though, can be running when nobody is around and if things go wrong & the motor sets whole place on fire. There was a thread on one of the woodworking forums in the last couple of years where just that happened.
The argument that a compressor should always be shut off when not being used is no good, because there is a good chance that is not always going to happen. Then in the middle of the night a leak develops & the compressor is running continuously...
Frank
No, I am not suggesting that knowingly using a defective piece of equipment is correct. I should have been clearer.
If this air compressor is manufactured for sale in the US market, with a UL designation, it will have some type of thermal overload protection, or the manufacturers literature will provide the guidance to install it. I believe that there is some form of overload protection built into the motor. It may not be a resettable red button, but an internal fusible link. Without knowing the equipment info, it's difficult to determine.
I have 7 motors that are always plugged in and always have power to their respective machines .Only two have resettable external plungers. My 5HP air compressor has an external plunger, but it is only plugged in when in use. It is always left pressurized though.I also have a 5HP commercial washer that does not have a resettable plunger, but has an internal thermal switch. The motor connection plate needs to be removed to reset the thermal.
Some motors have an internal switch that'll reset itself, if it can. Some motors have a fusible link, that will need to be replaced if it pops. Motor protection isn't always in the form of an external red push button.
Last edited by Mike Cutler; 02-16-2019 at 2:39 PM.
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