Can I run two compressors on one pressure switch if they are all connected?

by Stephen
(Snellville Ga)

I have two commercial compressors with three tanks. All hooked together. There will be a starter for each motor. Can I run each motor with one pressure switch? This is a single phase 230 volt system. One compressor is 7 1/2hp the other is 10hp. Any help at all would be very appreciated. The compressor cuts out but wont come back on by itself when the pressure drops. Pressure switch?

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Bill says...

If the switch can carry the load of two fairly large electric motors starting at the same time, then yes, you could conceivable have the same switch start both compressors at the same time... I think?

Typical installations when folks have two compressors for one air main are that one compressor kicks on at, say, 90 PSI, and kicks off at 120 PSI. As long as the one can maintain the air needed, the secondary, set for cut in at 85 PSI, need not start. It's only when the primary can't keep up demand that the secondary starts. Every few months, the pressure settings are switched, so the secondary becomes the primary... and so on.

About the non-start, when the pressure drops to cut in, does the pressure switch trip? Is there power flowing from the switch to the motor when the pressure is below cut in pressure level? If not, yup, it's probably the switch.

Cheers,

Bill