Gauge wire required for 50 amp load

[RamTruckMan]

I want to run wiring to my metal building located 600 feet from the house. I want to use my welder which has a 50 amp plug.

Does anyone have know what size aluminum wire I would need for a 50 amp load at 600 feet.

 

[DUMBDOG]

240 Volts, 50 Amps, 600 feet, Aluminum wire, requires 4/0 wire.

 

[Junkman]

The curious side of me has to ask the question...... what about other electrical needs in the building? How are you going to get the wire to the building? Overhead or underground? Plan ahead for future needs and do the job only once... If you are going underground, consider putting in another tube for phone and possibly one for water, even if it is only for warm weather use. You can pull a black plastic NSF 1/2" or 3/4" water line through a 2" PVC pipe quite easily and it will supply your basic needs...... Just a thought........

 

[Mark_in_NH]

Being 600' feet from the house is a long ways to run electricity for the entire building, never mind just a welder.
My suggestion from years of electrical work and just my simple 2 cents worth would be to Highly recommend installing a seperate service for the building. Depending on how big your building is and what your needs are and will be in the future, even a small 100 amp service gooes in quickly and cost efectively, foor ust a few bucks more, bump it upto a 150 amp service.

 

[PineRidge]

Oh boy, here we go again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif


Where is the good Inspector when you need him?

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

<font color="blue"> Oh boy, here we go again</font>

I know nooo...thing. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[_RaT_]

If you were going to use it a lot, I would consider it but you also must consider the utilities charges to you and weigh that in. If they charge for any of the installation or have a monthly service fee for the extra meter, weigh that in. There is no question 600 feet is a long way to go and will require a pull box, but if you come off the house meter, theres only one bill. If you get service to the shop and never use power there, you may well still pay a monthly service charge. Here in CA., we can go with direct burial in the ground with no conduit. I typically still run conduit anyway.
Check out both options for prices. The separate meter will probably be cheaper and a lot less work. It will also eliminate the inevitable voltage drop a welder is going to place on your wire even with 4/0 aluminum as well as provide you with far more power.

 

[Inspector507]

A lot of welders do not pull 50 amps when running, but look out when you strike the intial arc.
As mentioned above 4/0 aluminum would be needed for a full 50 amp draw.
Not something I'd want to do /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I'd look into the possibilty of a new service to the building, or even a used fuel powered welder on wheels /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif