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Nick DV
"That's the only name they ever gave me."
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Hi & welcome 
Before I upgraded my consumer unit/breakers, I ran one from a 13amp socket no problem. However, it popped the old breaker when I was using it along with other kit on the same ring.
Before I upgraded my consumer unit/breakers, I ran one from a 13amp socket no problem. However, it popped the old breaker when I was using it along with other kit on the same ring.not done it yet
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3 HP is 2.25kW. A 13A socket is 3.1kW @ 240V.
My 3HP compressor has a 150-200 litre receiver (I think). Receiver volume is only in the marketing hype to befuddle those that don’t know.
Same as air displacement and free air delivery - the former is advertising rubbish, the latter can be used to effectively compare compressors for the often wildly disparate claims by suppliers of cheap, inefficient and (often) not long-lived units. Compressed air is expensive, so efficiency can be important to heavy users of the commodity.
BTW, the thread title should read from a 13A socket (or outlet) or to or through a 13A plug. Subtle difference. Failure to wire correctly can result in electrocution.
My 3HP compressor has a 150-200 litre receiver (I think). Receiver volume is only in the marketing hype to befuddle those that don’t know.
Same as air displacement and free air delivery - the former is advertising rubbish, the latter can be used to effectively compare compressors for the often wildly disparate claims by suppliers of cheap, inefficient and (often) not long-lived units. Compressed air is expensive, so efficiency can be important to heavy users of the commodity.
BTW, the thread title should read from a 13A socket (or outlet) or to or through a 13A plug. Subtle difference. Failure to wire correctly can result in electrocution.
Thanks for the welcome, was looking to get one to use at home to run my 30 Rtech Plasma cutter, have a industrial one at work so should be okay their. Looking for plug and play rather than having to get a heavier supply fitted at the house. Have never got into Electrical work hence my request for advice.
hermetic
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I have a 3hp single phase compressor, it will run from a 13a plug but always allow the tank to fill, shut off, and dump the pressure in the tank feed line ( the loud hiss you hear when the tank is full), alternatively switch if off using the push/pull knob on the compressor pressure switch! if you switch it off at the wall by mistake it will not dump the pressure in the pipe, and will blow the fuse when you restart it! AMHIK!
hermetic
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There is a big current surge when it starts, and it will go well over 13a if the motor tries to start the compressor with the backpressure still there! Mine is a Clarke, but they are all very much the same, the more you pay, the better you get (generally) Clarke/machine mart are good for spares, should you ever need them, keep the oil topped up to the red dot on the sight glass, and beware because it holds oil against the perspex, so when it looks slightly low, it is probably nearly empty
not done it yet
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A bit of an under-statement there. It will go well over 13A, at start up, even if the pump is off-load. Normally the surge is for milliseconds before it reduces as the motor gains speed. On top of the normal ‘run’ windings there may well be start windings taking power, too, until the centripetal switch isolates the start winding.
A single phase motor can take 6x or even 10x its running rating on startup.
Thus brief transient spike is the cause of breaker tripping.
(Even though its a 13A socket, the Ring Main the socket is on should have a 32A protection circuit breaker on it. If its a type B it may well not cope with startup of a compressor without tripping.... but you don't need to upgrade the wiring, but need a C or better yet a D type 32A breaker fitting. That of course makes all sockets on that ring less sensitive, so if you're not happy with that you need an independent circuit for your compressor with a suitable breaker).
Thus brief transient spike is the cause of breaker tripping.
(Even though its a 13A socket, the Ring Main the socket is on should have a 32A protection circuit breaker on it. If its a type B it may well not cope with startup of a compressor without tripping.... but you don't need to upgrade the wiring, but need a C or better yet a D type 32A breaker fitting. That of course makes all sockets on that ring less sensitive, so if you're not happy with that you need an independent circuit for your compressor with a suitable breaker).
MoreWellie
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I had a 3HP 50L sealey that runs on a 13amp plug but I had to find the right fuse (I do not mean nail) I really did keep replacing the fuse when it blew and about the 4th or 5th one was happy with the surge and has been in there for ages
I wouldn't particularly recommend the sealey despite the fact that it generally worked well. the main problems being it is a very noisy direct drive and is designed to max at 8 bar
I wouldn't particularly recommend the sealey despite the fact that it generally worked well. the main problems being it is a very noisy direct drive and is designed to max at 8 bar
8ob
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You really need to be looking at the loading of both the compressor and the plasma cutter, they will both be running at the same time at some point and the compressor will be cutting in/out while cutting.
Bob
zzr1200
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I use an R-Tech 50 HF Plasma and use it with an Aldi 50 ltr Vtwin direct drive compressor with no problems that happily runs from a 13amp socket.
In your case a 16amp supply for the plasma and the compressor plugged into a 13a socket.
Just another (Aldi) rebadged compressor from an unknown manufacturer:-
SGS 50 Litre Direct Drive V-Twin High Power Air Compressor - 14.6CFM, 3.0HP, 50L
NEW powerful reciprocating air compressor from SGS has 50 litre tank and twin air outlets for increased versatility. It is ideal for workshop, DIY and trade applications.
www.googleadservices.com
PS:- One of these will work, but you will have to wait for it to play catch up at times, not ideal but still usable...
zzr1200
Working at 650 ft on open steel work.
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I just drain my compressors tank regularly, or just before using the plasma if its been while since I used it...I don't have any filtration or dryer...
not done it yet
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If nothing better, a trap at a 90 degree corner would be good. Air would go around the corner but droplets of water would tend to go straight on and be collected in a vertical pipe, with drain valve of some sort fitted on that dead-end leg.
