DIYbanter - View Single Post - Using a light switch on an air compressor

terry

On Sep 6, 12:30 am, wrote:
I have an air compressor and it's portable but I pretty much keep it
in the same place in the garage. The outlet is on top of my bench but
the cord always falls down behind the bench and is a royal pain to
fish it out. I have considered clamping it with a romex staple to the
wall or something like that, but then I cant move it without removing
the staple or some sort of screw clamp. Rather than doing that, I
thought about installing a double box with an outlet and a switch to
turn off that outlet. That way it will remain plugged in unless I
move it, and all I need to do is flip the switch on or off. My
question is whether a standard light switch will handle the motor
load. It's a 1/2 HP motor on a 20A circuit. I did also consider
adding another breaker and just turning on and off the breaker but
that box is not the easiest to get to since there are shelves in the
way.

Thanks

Marv

I dont read email - reply by newsgroup

A twenty amp switch; probably one with something of snap action?
Don't think those mercury switches are around much now?
But for simpler solution to avoid rewiring.
Some people loosen the middle screw of the 'switch plate' (well maybe
one should say 'duplex plate'?) and loop a tie wrap around behind the
plate to hold the cord/plug loosely near the outlet but not fall
down.
There are varieties and different length and sizes of tie wraps; cheap
ones can be quickly cut and replaced if ever needed. Others are
designed to be disengaged and reused.
Alternative? Stick a switch on the compressor itself and leave it
plugged in? Could be more convenient if using compressor some distance
away on an extension cord?