When i switch my compressor (tank underneath, motor on top, which runs a belt to a piston type) on, it keeps tripping the fuses,
And ive noticed a blue spark comes from both where the plug goes in and the back of the motor.
not the brightest on electrics so i anyone could help it would be great,

Roger, March 2008

I have had a look where the plug goes into the compressor and where the wires go into the back of the motor but nothing seems out of the ordinary, in the way of a broken contact etc,

The plug on the wall is fine and the fuse in there is ok,

It was working fine one day then the next that happened,
I also noticed the belt had snapped,

Thanks

Roger, March 2008

There certainly shouldn't be a spark from where the mains plug goes into the wall....check for tightness of the connections on both the plug and the socket - replace the plug with a 'quality' one if necessary. As for the motor you'll only see sparks if the motor has brushes, and as far as I know, most compressors have a capacitor start synchronous motor so expect failure before too soon I'm afraid - I guess there is some insulation breaking down somewhere.

John, March 2008