Can you convert a 240 volt air compressor to run from a 120 volt house outlet?

Answer 1

First, check the specification plate for the voltage rating. If it says 110/220V then you *can* change the voltage on the motor. If it only says 220V, then you can *not* practically change the voltage on the motor. There are how-tos on how to convert motors and how to run dedicated 240V lines for power tools on this site, which you should check first. However, here is a brief description of how to change the voltage on the motor you describe: # *FIRST* FOLLOW ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. Make sure that the power is disconnected, that all rotating components have stopped, etc. *YOU* ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. # Remove the cover plate on the back of the motor. The back of the motor is the side opposite to the side with the rotating shaft sticking out. # Change the input voltage to the motor. Note that standard 240V AC power consists of two "hot" leads of opposite phase, whereas standard 120V AC power consists of one "hot" lead and one neutral lead. Also, both of these power connections may or may not have a third lead which is ground. # On the circuit board (visible after the cover plate has been removed) there are terminals marked with numerals "1" through "6". Remove the 240V wire altogether by disconnecting it from terminal "6" and terminal "1", plus ground wire if installed.

# Find the electrical connection on the circuit board with the brown wire. For a 240V installation, the brown lead will be connected to the terminal marked "3". For a 120V installation the brown lead will be connected to terminal "5". # Switch the brown lead from terminal "3" to terminal "5". This converts the Gould Century electric motor to 120V. # Connect a new 120V wire to terminals "1" and "6". Note that the "hot" lead of the 120V wire should be connected to terminal "1", and the neutral lead should be connected to terminal "6". Hook up the ground lead in the same location as it was disconnected from.

# Replace the cover plate removed in step 1.

Answer 2

To see if the motor can be converted check the specification plate. If it says 110/220V you can rewire the windings to drop the voltage. There are several explinations on how to do that on this site. If the plate says only 220V you cannot. You need to run a dedicated line for it. Again, there are many explinations on how to do that on this site.

Answer 3

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz power supply service. If the motor in not a dual voltage motor then you will have two options. Check the motor nameplate and see if there are two voltage ratings and two current ratings. If there are two ratings then you have a dual voltage motor. Just rewire it to run on 120 volts. Keep in mind that running the motor on a lower voltage will double the current draw so watch the wire size to make sure that you are not overloading it. The first option is to change the 120 volts to 240 volts. The rating of the wire now isprobably #14 rated at 15 amps. Without knowing the HP of the motor it is hard to say if the wire size will be big enough. The second option is to change the motor out to one that runs on 120 volts.

Answer 4

Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.

Air compressors tend to draw a lot of current. Look at the amperage rating on the compressor and double it.

So that you have the required 20% safety margin for the breaker and wiring on the 120 volt branch circuit, you would need to use a 120 VAC circuit that was able to deliver that doubled current rating times 1.2.

For example, if your current at 240 volts was 10 Amps, you would need 20 x 1.2 = 24 Amps and you would then need a 120 volt 30 Amp breaker with 10 AWG wire.

The next thing you will need is a transformer that has a primary for 120 volts and a secondary producing 240 volts.

To meet code, that transformer has to be in good condition and properly housed in a safely grounded enclosure, which is likely to cost a lot of money!

So a much better solution to your problem would be to run a new 240 volt branch circuit running from the main breaker panel. You would need to install the right size 240 volt circuit breaker and wiring, and the right type of receptacle for a 240 volt air compressor.

<><><>

As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.

Before you do any work yourself,

on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,

always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB

SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY

REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.