7 1/2hp Ac 1 phase motor, too many amps

[mygoogleplex]

Hoping for a little advice from any electric motor guru that’s willing to help.

I just purchased a Baldor 7 ½ hp single-phase motor for my home / garage air compressor but the motor says it will draw 31 amps and I cannot find a pressure switch anywhere at any price on this planet larger than 30 amps.
Can I use the 30-amp pressure switch? That BTW, I have already bought
And
Why the hell do they make a motor that draws more amperage than one can get a pressure switch to handle, I don’t get it.

Thank you for your consideration

 

[bigmoose]

I use a contactor (relay) to control my compressor of similar size. I just use the pressure switch to control the relay's coil. There are a lot of industrial surplus places near me, so it was cheap. Rated for like 10 HP 220. The contactor has a thermal overload device built in to protect the motor. I think I threw a 50 or 60 amp breaker on the circuit, then tuned the contactor to the compressor/motor combination. One set of contacts I don't want to see weld shut are my compressors!

This is the kind of think I am talking about, but they are like 10 bucks surplus.
http://stores.margot.com/Electrical...radley-100-A60N-3-Contacts-Series-C-p754.html

 

[liveforphysics]

You only need a 0.05amp pressure switch.

Relay. Get a 50amp made for "mechanical loads. " ( thats idiot-speak for loads that have inrush current and flyback on break"

 

[liveforphysics]

You beat me to it Dave!

 

[mygoogleplex]

Thanks a million and stuff bigmoose and liveforphysics, sincerely.

 

[nicobie]

That's a big load. Got big wires? 12 gauge is too small.

The breaker is to save the wires. U da one who hooks up the load.

 

[mygoogleplex]

10ga stranded is what I am planing on using weather I run this 7 ½ hp or do an exchange or whatever and put a 5hp on the darn thing.
At granger; where I bought this 7 ½ hp motor, they also have a compressor duty 5 hp with the same 1 1/8 shaft this one has and it’s about $100.00 dollars cheaper.
I am as yet undecided in the matter and any outside advice would be much appreciated indeed.
Thank you