My dad has a 5hp air compressor that has a magnetic starter box, the compressor wont turn on anymore, What is the purpose of the magnetic starter and does anyone know how to check it and is it necessary? It is a 220 volt dual stage compressor.
2007-04-02 12:38:12 · 7 answers · asked by franklinbud8 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
the purpose of the magnetic starter is to give either thermal protection or to have a set of contacts that can handle the load of the motor as a pressure switch cannot not do this with a five horsepower motor.....things to check is if it is thermally protected it will have a reset button on magnetic starter.....or the motor has an overload you might need to reset ....should be red button on side of junction box...or end of motor.....or the pressure switch is bad or contactor coil or contactor is bad in magnetic starter....or there is no power....if this is a 3 phase motor the magnetic starter is absolutely necessary..if it is a single phase motor with its own overload you can use just the pressure switch to start motor but you will have to replace it the pressure switch frequently because motor load will fry contacts in switch....
2007-04-02 13:13:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Magnetic Starter For Air Compressor
2016-11-08 04:04:25 · answer #2 · answered by leisure 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The magnetyic starter is just a switch. There are control wires that go to the coil of the starter. Things like a pressure switch will drop out the starter and turn the compressor off so it doesn't build up too much pressure. There are contacts on the starter that make and then it puts voltage to the motor and it runs.
To check the starter, try to turn the compressor on. If the coil energizes, then the starter coil is good. Use a voltage tester and check the voltage out of the starter it should have 220V across the terminals. If it does then the compressor motor wis bad. If the coil is energized and you don't have voltage on the output, then the contacts on the relay are bad.
If the coil doesn't pull in when you try and start the compressor, then you have to trouble shoot the control wiring. Maybe the pressure switch is bad. One way to check is to jumper out the pressure switch and try to start again. If it still won't start, then you know it's not the pressure switch. I don't know what else will be in the circuit, but it you have a wiring diagram, you'll have to keep checking and see where you loose voltage. Good luck.
2007-04-02 12:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Most home compressors would not have a starter but rather a pressure switch with a relay or contactor. as some of the other guys have said. Try to start it manually to make sure the motor is good. If it runs The pressure switch may be bad or out of adjustment. Then the relay or contactor coil needs to be tested. Most home compressor motors have a thermal switch in the motor . Best bet is to get a friend that understands electricity and motor controls to look at it.
It involves dangerous voltage that can be lethal if you do not know what you are doing
2007-04-03 06:10:49 · answer #4 · answered by burdawg 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Let's get the Question straight.
220 volt (single phase)?
Dual stage compressor 2 pistons?
The way I test a bad switch with 220 is remove cover, plug in compressor, TAKE A SCREWDRIVER and manually push the contacts together, if it takes and runs it's the switch, if not check the thermoprotection.
Make sure you have a plastic handle on your screwdriver.
2007-04-02 15:17:24 · answer #5 · answered by jacksparrow 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Starters are for control and thermal protection. I assume if it has a starter it is 3-phase. A starter should have a reset button on it somewhere.
2007-04-02 12:42:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are a couple of great answers here already, but just for drill, check the circuit breaker to see if it is tripped.
2007-04-02 14:57:23 · answer #7 · answered by Hank 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋