I have a air compressor I need to wire up in a garage I use.
I forget the exact specs of the compressor but I believe it draws 16 amps. It is 240V a 60 gallon upright single stage unit. The stocket is about 10 feet away from the compressor. I would like to use standed wire so I can just plug and go rather than hard wiring.

What wire type and gauge of wire do I need to use?

That short a distance 10/2 should be fine. hard copper wire.

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technology is great when it works
and one big pain in the ass when it doesnt.
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Number 12 wire is rated at 20 amps.Number 10 wire is rated at 30 amps.Number 10 wire should be used because of the starting amperage draw,but number 12 will also work. I prefer stranded wire because it is more flexible.The rating is the same for both stranded or solid wire.

[This message has been edited by hugh (edited 02-04-2006).]

2 wire--with a ground wire--especially if it's a compressor with rubber tires. but I'm sure you already planned for that.

240 uses 10 -3 stranded, Two 120, one ground.