Wire size and such for welder(s)

[Sully2]

Ok...2 part question here.

1) Since I have to string wire for an outlet to handle a 220V.. MIG welder and the run will be "about" 85 feet ( I'll just buy 100 feet to make sure) to be able to handle a welder of "about " 180 amps...what size wire?? ( 10...8...6.??)

2) If...IF..I should settle on say a 120V powered welder ( say a 120-140 amp MIG setup)..what in gods name would I use as an OUTLET..that I can wire with "X" gauge wire ( see above question) Ive never seen any sort of 120V outlet that can handle ..say a 10 gauge wire..let alone anything larger than that??

I sure as heck dont want to go thru the PITA of stringing wire 2 times and would rather install something capable ( or even moreso) of doing the job for me of the largest thing Id buy

 

[John47]

You could use a 30 amp RV outlet! I'd have to check the volts drop in my charts to give you a wire size, but it would have to be large to carry that load over 80 plus feet! Especially at 120 volts....

 

[Inspector507]

Sully,
Really, your best bet is to decide on a welder first. Then find out the electrical requirements that it needs.

 

[MadReferee]

The Inspector is correct as always.

My MM251 MIG, TA185 TIG and Miller Spectrum 375 plasma cutter all come with 6-50P plugs and use 10 gauge copper wire. They are all 240v machines. This means that you will need a 6-50R recepticle.

The MM251 MIG requires a 50 amp circuit, the TA185 TIG requires a 40 amp circuit, and the Spectrum 375 requires a 20 amp circuit if used at 240v or a 30 amp curcuit is used at 120v.

My shop is wired with a 60 amp breaker and 6 gauge aluminum wire to the 6-50R recepticle (about 40 ft). I also have 100 ft of 10 gauge wire for an extension cord.

Bottom line is that you need to know what your welder needs and what future needs will be and install a circuit that will handle that load. And make sure it is up to current code for your area.

 

[Sully2]

You could use a 30 amp RV outlet! I'd have to check the volts drop in my charts to give you a wire size, but it would have to be large to carry that load over 80 plus feet! Especially at 120 volts....

Okie doke John...I can look up the voltage drop. Thanks

 

[patrick_g]

My 40 amp output plasma cutter manual says that #6 (copper) is good for 150 feet. I think it uses about 6.5 KW input. Aluminum #6 should be fine to 100 ft. If you use aluminum be careful to use fittings/receptacles approved for aluminum wire! Remember all the house fires when proper aluminum wire usage practices weren't followed?

Pat

 

[sandman2234]

And it is all those house fires that cause me to hurt in the back pocket as I shell out the money for copper. No sense in taking that chance...
David from jax

Luckily I purchased a lot of wire before prices went thru the roof!
David from jax

 

[Bedlam]

I hear ya on the prices. 250 feet of 122 with ground Romex was 85 dollars here home depot and Lows. When did it spike so fast? along with the gas prices?

 

[tswirka]

when i hooked up my first welder, a 220 v AC 150 amp cracker box i used an old dryer plug and recepticle. of course i had a breaker box in my barn with the overhead service already there. now i have that same old crackerbox, but also a miller wire feed and a lincoln 200 amp AC/DC. i use all 220 dryer recepticles but they run through a DPDT cut off box first. Some one said it right, pick your welder first then build to suit but you should look ahead and go larger with your service for adding on.
Todd in memphis

 

[InlineDieselFan]

If you cannot choose your welder first, you at leat know the class of welder, 180 amps or so. But buy time you buy you may choose to up grade to a 250 amp or so welder. It is cheap to do now, wire it up for the 250 amp welder or more, and have plenty of buffer room.

If you go too small you will kick yourself.

steve