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69Stang · 06-13-2017, 06:12 AM

I'm not an electrician, but can do some basic wiring. DW bought me a 230V air compressor for my B-day. I decided that since I had to run 240 wire for the air compressor that I might was well run a 50 AMP RV outlet.

So I installed a 50 AMP breaker with 35' of 6/3 wire to a 50 AMP RV outlet. Now I want to use a 50 AMP RV male plug and wire it to the air compressor so I can plug it into the RV outlet. As you know, 50 AMP has 4 wires (2 hot, ground and neutral), while the compressor has 3 wires (2 hot and a ground). Is it as simple as wiring the air compressor plug to the 2 hot's, ground, without a neutral?

When I first thought this through it seemed it would be simple, but the more I've thought about it I'm a little concerned I'm missing something. I'd hate to let the magic smoke out of my new compressor.

Option 2 - call an electrician

C.Martin · 06-13-2017, 06:27 AM

Well...ground and Neutral are both bonded together in your main panel...so it won't really matter.

The compressor motor needs the two hot legs...the Ground just gives a short in your compressor somewhere else to go than thru an unexpecting barefoot operator standing in a puddle of water. And will hopefully cause the breaker to trip, if a short occurs.

So, two legs and a Ground...

Sbrownstein · 06-13-2017, 06:46 AM

Yup...its that simple. That is how you would wire a 3 wire dryer to a 4 wire plug as well. Two hots....one ground...and you are all set.

Floridakamper · 06-13-2017, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Stang

So I installed a 50 AMP breaker with 35' of 6/3 wire to a 50 AMP RV outlet.

I thought it would have needed 6/4 wire?

Sbrownstein · 06-13-2017, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridakamper

I thought it would have needed 6/4 wire?

Most 6/3 has conductors...and a ground,since the old 3 wire receptacle is no longer code.

Spk64 · 06-13-2017, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridakamper

I thought it would have needed 6/4 wire?

6/3 Romex will have a bare ground.

RKins · 06-13-2017, 07:07 AM

6/3 comes with 4 wires..... I know, I know.....

hohenwald48 · 06-13-2017, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69Stang

Is it as simple as wiring the air compressor plug to the 2 hot's, ground, without a neutral?

Yes, it's that simple. No neutral is required.

69Stang · 06-13-2017, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Well...ground and Neutral are both bonded together in your main panel...so it won't really matter.

The compressor motor needs the two hot legs...the Ground just gives a short in your compressor somewhere else to go than thru an unexpecting barefoot operator standing in a puddle of water. And will hopefully cause the breaker to trip, if a short occurs.

So, two legs and a Ground...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sbrownstein

Yup...its that simple. That is how you would wire a 3 wire dryer to a 4 wire plug as well. Two hots....one ground...and you are all set.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hohenwald48

Yes, it's that simple. No neutral is required.

Thanks for the help. I thought I was over thinking it, but it's all best to double check

69Stang · 06-13-2017, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floridakamper

I thought it would have needed 6/4 wire?

Like others have posted, 6/3 is actually a black, white, red and ground wire in this application. Beats me why it's not called 6/4. Your standard 120V household wire is XX/2, which is black, white and ground.

I'm sure there is some reason they do it that way. It's confusing for sure.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-13-2017, 08:19 AM

It is 6/3 because the terminology means 6 gauge wire with 3 conductors. The ground wire is not considered a conductor.

69Stang · 06-13-2017, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It is 6/3 because the terminology means 6 gauge wire with 3 conductors. The ground wire is not considered a conductor.

That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

70ChevelleSS · 06-13-2017, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C.Martin

Well...ground and Neutral are both bonded together in your main panel...so it won't really matter.

The compressor motor needs the two hot legs...the Ground just gives a short in your compressor somewhere else to go than thru an unexpecting barefoot operator standing in a puddle of water. And will hopefully cause the breaker to trip, if a short occurs.

So, two legs and a Ground...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

It is 6/3 because the terminology means 6 gauge wire with 3 conductors. The ground wire is not considered a conductor.

Ground and neutral are bonded together at the main panel. But as said the ground wire is not considered a current conductor. It's there for safety reason should a fault occur. The compressor is a 230V? or 240V compressor. It doesn't use 120V so no neutral line is required. The RV has 120V appliances so the neutral is required, and of course the ground wire for safety purposes.