You would have to be very careful playing that game. If the compressor came from Big Orange or the like, the rating is inflated to just under the point where it could be called fraud. I have a vintage Binks compressor with a compressor duty 7.5 HP motor. It draws a little better than 30 amps running. There is a lot of difference between homeowner and commercial duty. This has been interesting for me because I run mine on a 6-50 outlet and never gave the HP rating thing a thought. I've never considered it as a disconnecting means. That's what the mag starter and breakers are for. I don't think I'll change mine but I probably would not install a similar setup for a customer now.
