LD1
Epic Contributor
Welders are allowed to use under sized wire given the duty cycle. They arent drawing current constantly.
Sizing wires is all based on how hot the wire is going to get. And using a welder, even undersized wire isnt going to get that hot based on the time it is used in a given hour.
From my understanding (Im no certified electrician), but 220v circuits (if there are also 110v circuits involved) require 4 wire setup. Like a range, or dryer, which has heating elements that operate off of 220v, but control circuits that run off of 110. Those need 4 wire. For loads that are 220v only, like shop equipment, air compressor, water heaters, etc. Only 3 wires is required. 2-hot and 1 ground.
So if you use the romex, 10-2 will certainly work for temporary cord. But going to 10-3 SO cord will be better long term.
Also, When talking about romex and 10-2 and 10-3, the 2 and 3 are the number of current carrying conductors. Not the total numberof wires. So 10-2 romex will have a black, white, and a bare ground. With SO or SJ cord, You would need 10-3 to get the proper number of wires. Since the ground in them is insulated and not bare, it is counted when talking about 10-2 and 10-3.
Sizing wires is all based on how hot the wire is going to get. And using a welder, even undersized wire isnt going to get that hot based on the time it is used in a given hour.
From my understanding (Im no certified electrician), but 220v circuits (if there are also 110v circuits involved) require 4 wire setup. Like a range, or dryer, which has heating elements that operate off of 220v, but control circuits that run off of 110. Those need 4 wire. For loads that are 220v only, like shop equipment, air compressor, water heaters, etc. Only 3 wires is required. 2-hot and 1 ground.
So if you use the romex, 10-2 will certainly work for temporary cord. But going to 10-3 SO cord will be better long term.
Also, When talking about romex and 10-2 and 10-3, the 2 and 3 are the number of current carrying conductors. Not the total numberof wires. So 10-2 romex will have a black, white, and a bare ground. With SO or SJ cord, You would need 10-3 to get the proper number of wires. Since the ground in them is insulated and not bare, it is counted when talking about 10-2 and 10-3.
