Hey all, new to woodworking and VERY confused about how to wire up a receptacle for my new Delta 5 hp Unisaw. I was going to buy the 3 hp one but for only $100 the 5 hp model was available. Big mistake as I am seeing now making a receptacle for this saw is a COMPLETE mystery. The manual states:
“The circuit should not be less than #10 wire and should be protected with a 40 amp time delay fuse.”
My electrician is completely confused as he states #10 wire should be on a 30 amp breaker, and on top of that, it doesn’t make sense to use a 40 amp fuse on a 30 amp breaker. Secondly, the wire on the plug of the saw is labeled (12AWG) and the plug corresponds to a NEMA 6-20P and would mate with a 6-20R receptacle.
In short, apparently the plug on the saw is 20 amps, the manual says use 30 amp wire, and to have a 40 amp fuse on the presumably 40 amp breaker.
Can ANYONE make sense of this?
Replies
Delta 36-L552 5 HP Unisaw
Just wondering if you were able to figure this out. I am having the same issue deciphering this in anticipation of my saw being delivered tomorrow. Thanks,
Did you figure it out? I just bought the same model and have the same issue as well...
Seems like the most prudent thing to do is run 20amps the whole way since the plug is designed for a 20amp load...
Alternatively one can imagine up to a 28amp draw at startup (Delta tech support confirmed the machine draws 28amps max) and sub 20amp while operating. In this scenario I would use a 30amp two pole breaker wired to a nema 6-20p outlet
Let me know how you solved yours!
The manual is very confusing!
I'm not an electrician but if I were in your shoes, I would run a new 240v/20a circuit to the saw because that matches the plug on the Delta power cord.
However, I would use 10 gauge wire for this circuit instead of the usual 12 gauge. (Code does not prohibit upsizing the conductors.)
That way, if you experience nuisance tripping of the 20 amp circuit breaker you can easily upgrade the circuit to 240v/30a without running new wire.
Mike
“[Deleted]”
Not really a woodworking question. If you hired an electrician and he needs advice from a woodworking forum you might need a new electrician.
Yes I agree that was the original poster 4 years ago. Also if you call delta directly they literally say to do 40amp breaker 40 amp fuse and 20amp outlet which, is illegal. I pointed that out to the technician on the call and he literally replied that he’s taken this call dozens of times and that’s what he tells everyone to do..
So. I’m going to go with setting it up on a 20amp circuit with the wire I have rated to 50amps. Amd if I trip the breaker I’ll run 30amp all the way through and replace the cord on the saw. Either way I’m not stepping down past the panel that seems a bit crazy to me
Seems like a misunderstanding between overload protection and wire size. On 240 volts, the rated amps will be around 20, that is for wire size and should run continuously without heating and provide little voltage drop, assuming it is not overly long. Fusing will protect the motor if overloaded, and all charts I found call for a 40 amp delay fuse. And yes, no.10 wire is right for a 30 amp circuit, with a 30 amp breaker. So if you don’t have a 40 amp fuse inline , that’s fine since the 30 amp breaker will perfectly protect your motor, assuming it has a delay, that they normally have, to overcome the starting amps.
I am assuming it is 220 volts. Looking on the Home Depot website for the attached link it shows 15 amps for a 5 hp @ 220 volts. I am not sure about your specific saw. It should show in the manual what breaker is needed and what extension cord should be used. In any event I would make sure that the breaker is not larger than the cord and equipment can handle. I am not an electrician but you don't want the weakest link to be the cord.
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