That's just what I was recommended for my 20' run. Maybe I'll have to call a buddy who's an electrician and have it done properly or at least know for sure what I need and what will make code. 50 Amp breaker is overkill, but I'd like to future proof myself. The 211 is only a 25 amp machine.
240v outlet wiring
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That's just what I was recommended for my 20' run. Maybe I'll have to call a buddy who's an electrician and have it done properly or at least know for sure what I need and what will make code. 50 Amp breaker is overkill, but I'd like to future proof myself. The 211 is only a 25 amp machine.
murphy1244
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Martian, Have your buddy do it, The job will turn out much better. The voltage is nothing to play with if its not your thing.
That's what I'm starting to think will be the best idea. Thanks Murph.
Mickey_Fx
Veteran Member
Before you get too raped up in this project, take a look at the plug on the cord that came with the welder. Recently purchased a Lincoln 180C and went through the same thought. Shop was already wired for 220V/50A for a large welder the previous owner had. Only needed to handle 30A for my welder but when I looked, the cable that came with the welder was a 50A plug. No change in wiring which was good fo me.
Ya don't want to jump the gun if max power consumption is within 30A range then find out that's not what the welder cord was made for.
Ya don't want to jump the gun if max power consumption is within 30A range then find out that's not what the welder cord was made for.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
There are about 5 different posts here about welders ... and all have ended with people yelling at each other and calling names. its amazing
Per NEC regs..... a single welder CANNOT be derated off of its nameplate rating. Thats the small metal engraved plate that comes on the unit.
If it says 50 amps..than it has to be wired for 50 amps. it doesnt matter if it has a #10 wire coming off of the welder or a #6 wire. If the plate says 50 amps, wire for 50 amps.
Romex wire has to follow the 60C set of tables in the electrical NEC code book. Section 310:15 of the code book rates #8 copper wire for 40 amps, and rates #6 copper ROMEX for 55 amps.
Will said welder work om #8 wire. more than likely. Will it work legally....NO.
Per NEC regs..... a single welder CANNOT be derated off of its nameplate rating. Thats the small metal engraved plate that comes on the unit.
If it says 50 amps..than it has to be wired for 50 amps. it doesnt matter if it has a #10 wire coming off of the welder or a #6 wire. If the plate says 50 amps, wire for 50 amps.
Romex wire has to follow the 60C set of tables in the electrical NEC code book. Section 310:15 of the code book rates #8 copper wire for 40 amps, and rates #6 copper ROMEX for 55 amps.
Will said welder work om #8 wire. more than likely. Will it work legally....NO.
crazyal
Super Member
The welder in question requires only 25 amps at 240v. If it's the one I'm thinking about the plug on the welder is one where the legs can easily be turned at will to work with either 120v or 240v and the machine will auto adjust for the incoming voltage.
For this application 8 gauge wire would be over kill. However, and this is why unless you are very sure you are following the code, if you wire a 50 amp outlet with a 50 amp breaker then at some point in time somebody may try to plug something into it that will draw the full rated power.
Because the code is very complicated (like grsthegreat said romex needs to use the 60c, not the 75C tables) it's best to err on the side of caution and have an electrician do the work. It sounded like you wanted to do it yourself so that's why I suggested 6 awg vs 8 awg, again erring on the side of safety. Another suggestion I'll make is to wire a 50 amp receptacle, not one that will fit the plug on your welder's cord.
For this application 8 gauge wire would be over kill. However, and this is why unless you are very sure you are following the code, if you wire a 50 amp outlet with a 50 amp breaker then at some point in time somebody may try to plug something into it that will draw the full rated power.
Because the code is very complicated (like grsthegreat said romex needs to use the 60c, not the 75C tables) it's best to err on the side of caution and have an electrician do the work. It sounded like you wanted to do it yourself so that's why I suggested 6 awg vs 8 awg, again erring on the side of safety. Another suggestion I'll make is to wire a 50 amp receptacle, not one that will fit the plug on your welder's cord.
murphy1244
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Always a good idea to use bigger wire.
welders can generally get by with smaller wire since they don't have a 100% duty cycle and a 211 needs no where close to 50 amps.
leaving undersized wire just hanging out in the walls is not to code, and it causes headaches in the future.
When planning this out, think about the future. Do you think you will ever need another plug? were would you put it? Think you will ever pick up any other 220v equipment? Think you might want a 4 wire plug for anything down the road?
I ran 6 gauge 4 wire for my welder plug. I have 2 plugs off the same wire. 1 is a 4 wire 50amp RV plug going into the garage, and a standard 50 amp welder plug going into the work shop. I was able to find a 50amp RV extension cord for less than a welder extension cord, and then I made up an adapter using a range cord and a welder receptacle. I also like the option of using a breakout box down the line.
leaving undersized wire just hanging out in the walls is not to code, and it causes headaches in the future.
When planning this out, think about the future. Do you think you will ever need another plug? were would you put it? Think you will ever pick up any other 220v equipment? Think you might want a 4 wire plug for anything down the road?
I ran 6 gauge 4 wire for my welder plug. I have 2 plugs off the same wire. 1 is a 4 wire 50amp RV plug going into the garage, and a standard 50 amp welder plug going into the work shop. I was able to find a 50amp RV extension cord for less than a welder extension cord, and then I made up an adapter using a range cord and a welder receptacle. I also like the option of using a breakout box down the line.
CJONE
Veteran Member
I guess without starting a pissing match you have to run the correct wire for the breaker size. Please don't use a 50 amp breaker with 10 gage wire just because the machine will not draw more than 30 amps. Downsize the breaker to 30 amps. heavier wire is fine just don't do the oppsite. Like murphy said heavier is better. Like was stated also I would not use 8ga. on a 50 amp circuit, 6ga. for me. CJ
murphy1244
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As CJ said you can't run a 50 amp breaker and use smaller wire cause its a welder. You must size the wire for the circut.
