My friend ran 10-3 wire from his power box to his new workshop about 150 away, he says with 10 guage wire. He says it has three wires so I assume this is what they call 10-3. He wants to buy a 60 gallon, 3 hp compressor, one of those $400 one's at tractor supply that are 240 volt and push about 10.3cfm @90psi.
I'm worried that his wire is not heavy enough. I have (3) 4 guage wires running to my workshop which will run 75 amps, more than I'll ever need. He ran his wire before telling me, so it's already buried and done.
His wire looks awful small. I know when I run my portable compressors to take out tile in people's homes, they will kick off 15 amp breakers all the time. I need to find a strong plug like where the washer is plugged in. I know his larger compressor will demand a lot more juice to kick over and run.
Will his 10 guage wire support the proposed compressor, or will he ruin the motor on it as I suspect? BTW, he is also running many shop lights in the shop, which will add to the draw some.
Thanks for your help,
thetiler (not theelectrician)