wire size for welder

[Ken Kegris]

Here we go 10 gauge = 30 amps 8 gauge = 40 amps 6 gauge = 50 amps. I have used a dryer plug on a 30 amp circuit but could not weld long on the higher amps. I use 6 gauge wire and the standard welder plug and receptacle. I would assume you have a Lincoln tombstone welder. They were 50 amp at least mine is.

Kenny kkegris@yahoo.com

 

[schoppy]

Ken is correct. Always size breakers or fuses to the conductor size not the load. Also the appropriate receptacle is important as lower amperage rated connectors will heat up especially as you increase welding amperage. The longer the cable the larger the conductor to account for voltage drop. There are charts for all these calculations. My Lincoln calls for a 50 amp breaker and rated receptacle.

 

[LD1]

This was 15 years ago, I am pretty sure he has it figured out.

In any case, welders have their own section in the code.

There is a derating factor based on the duty cycle of the welder. In some cases, it may be perfectly ok to run 12 ga on that 50a breaker. Just depends on the welder duty cycle. Most welder owners manual has this info.

8ga /50a for a welder.....most likely not a problem at all.

 

[Ken Kegris]

When working for a school district I tried to weld up desk legs just tacking, on a 10 gauge circuit dryer plug I could do about 3 legs then the breaker would pop then after that 2 legs was about all I could do and that was with a tombstone Lincoln 225 This was a 20% DUTY CYCLE welder. At home on the 6 gauge wire I often exceed that duty cycle. those welder have a fan in them so that helps. If I have buckets or heavy duty stuff I usually use the mig or the portable the mig is 60% and the portable is 100% so no danger there. I often use my portable for thawing pipes, CAREFULLY and usually in the industrial setting.

Kenny kkegris@yahoo.com

 

[LD1]

Yep, 30 amp breaker was too small. Thought we were talking about wire size. 12ga or 10ga on a 50a breaker would solve your problem.

 

[buickanddeere]

Ken is correct. Always size breakers or fuses to the conductor size not the load. Also the appropriate receptacle is important as lower amperage rated connectors will heat up especially as you increase welding amperage. The longer the cable the larger the conductor to account for voltage drop. There are charts for all these calculations. My Lincoln calls for a 50 amp breaker and rated receptacle.

. There is thermal protection and there is short circuit protection, don't confuse the them with each other . What about motor loads ? A 50 amp breaker on a 30 amp conductor is specified in the code book.

 

[hr3]

Yep, 30 amp breaker was too small. Thought we were talking about wire size. 12ga or 10ga on a 50a breaker would solve your problem.

Are you sure about that..???

 

[LD1]

Are you sure about that..???

If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have posted it

 

[medic0648]

Yes. Motor loads tend to size the wire by the running amps and the breaker or fuse by a significant multiplier depending on the type.