Thread: 10amp DIY for air compressor 15amp plug

The correct answer is no, you can't, it needs a dedicated 15A cct

The real life answer is make a 10-15A lead up, my old boys runs 4mm submains to the shed, around 60M, the welder, air compressor and hoist are all run on 10A sub circuits and have been doing so for ....... since prior to me, well, not the hoist, but you get the jist

The proper way is to get a sparky to install a 15A GPO for you. This is basically a dedicated circuit (same as your oven). You could run the cabling yourself and get a sparky to connect if you want to save money.

The dodgy way, especially since the plug has already been filed down, is just to use it in your 10A circuit, but be careful not to run much/anything on the same circuit at the same time.

Both my welders are 15A. The MIG has had the plug filed down by the PO. I used the stick welder with a 10A extension lead before I had a dedicated 15A GPO. The extension lead got VERY hot when welding heavy steel, and the socket of the extension lead has partially melted

EDIT - Matt beat me to it...

I have had a 15A circuit and outlets installed into the garage when building the house, but what is the difference in the circuit? Is it just a dedicated circuit and/or is the wiring heavier and/or is there just a difference in the earth circuit or is it something else?

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I have had a 15A circuit and outlets installed into the garage when building the house, but what is the difference in the circuit? Is it just a dedicated circuit and/or is the wiring heavier and/or is there just a difference in the earth circuit or is it something else?

Dedicated circuit, same size cable, just the one outlet on the circuit

exactly - for domestic install if the outlet is greater than 10amp, only one oulet (or appliance) is allowed on the circuit. It's all about Earthing and the same 2.5 twin & earth cabling is used. While you're at it give it its own residual device.

Between you and me, I have a 10-15 lead in the garage. I use it for the camper, RV input sockets are all 15, and there's less than 1 amp used by the charger.... And it is used for the welder if it's used away from the garage where my only 15 outlet is.

My understanding is that the earth needs to be 2.5mm too as some twin and earth cables only have a 1.5mm earth. In practice the earth current carrying capacity is academic if an RCCB is fitted and is working.

While it is not ideal, it does work. We did this with an old CIG welder about 30 years ago, never blew a fuse, never tripped a circuit breaker and it is still going strong.

It is quite a common practice to do this, also a lot of tradies have extension leads with a 10a plug but a 15a socket to use 15a appliances in standard plugs. It won't fly anywhere that WHS has jurisdiction but I've seen it a lot.

i may not of changed a wall socket to 15amp outlet and it works fine.
how ever im carefull as the welder i use is rated at max of 17amp draw so i only turn it up to 3/4

no dramas yet.