Wire size and such for welder(s)

[Sully2]

When I set up mine, I got the 6-50P and 6-50R plugs at CyberWeld.

Cyberweld.com - Welding Supplies - Miller, Hobart & More

50 amps of 240V is plenty, unless you need to run a compressor off the same outlet at the same time.

If you are looking to repair M1 Abrams battle tanks and nuclear aircraft carriers, be sure to invest in a industrial phase 3 setup, as normal home phase 1 ain't gunna cut it!

Presently..Im doing all my aircraft carrier repair in the garage...with a "Bernz-o-matic"....

 

[skipperbrown]

Once again I come back to the building inspector's thoughts should you decide to get a permit (or even if you don't). You can tell the inspector you are using a 30 amp breaker for a 25 amp load w/a 50 amp plug which is fine for your needs, but the inspector is going to be thinking that the next guy who buys your home and sees a 50 amp plug will probably assume it's wired for 50 amps and could get himself in trouble. Thus, IMHO, if you install a 50 amp plug, wire it for 50 amps.

 

[Sully2]

Once again I come back to the building inspector's thoughts should you decide to get a permit (or even if you don't). You can tell the inspector you are using a 30 amp breaker for a 25 amp load w/a 50 amp plug which is fine for your needs, but the inspector is going to be thinking that the next guy who buys your home and sees a 50 amp plug will probably assume it's wired for 50 amps and could get himself in trouble. Thus, IMHO, if you install a 50 amp plug, wire it for 50 amps.

A) I wont be selling the home
B) I'd label the recepticle as being "X" amperage
C) If...IF I should leave for any reason..I'd pull the breaker out of the main box and kill the circuit completely.

 

[accordionman]

SIR,
Wire Size Calculator

accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

 

[accordionman]

SIR,
here is another one.
Voltage Drop Calculator JavaScript

accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

 

[Sully2]

SIR,
Wire Size Calculator

accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

Thanks much! I had already found that via "search" and it says I "only" need #10 for the load / distance for 120 V...and less of course for 240V...so I figured I'd just pull 3 x 8 w/grn and call it close enough for any future "upgrades"..even though I doubt MOST SERIOUSLY that Id even need to go larger on any welder that "I" would need.

A guy dont need a "jumbo Megatron" to weld on chain hooks..or an angle iron frame for a tool box to sit in..etc..etc.

 

[Highbeam]

The only risk I can see with using a 50 amp plug on a 30 amp circuit is that the next owner might think he can upsize the breaker to a 50 amp by ASSUMING the wiring is sized for 50 amps. Yes, there is that chance. When the guy hooks up the wires to the bigger 50 amp breaker he SHOULD notice the thinner wire.

I'm sure there are standards for things like this. I would hate to think that you must build a 30 amp circuit, use a 30 amp plug, and then make an adapter to a 50 amp plug just to protect yourself from the bozo that might put in a bigger breaker.

 

[accordionman]

SIR,
keep you cap on tight when you go buy that copper
wire for your project. the prices have gone crazy.
i have a friend that works for BUTLER SUPPLY in
warrenton, and i was asking him about some cable.
he said, you don't want to buy it now, a 250 roll of
12-2 w/grnd is over $100.00. i can remember when i
bought that for $20.00 for the same size roll. wow!!
accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

 

[MadReferee]

I recently bought 60 feet of 8-2 with ground to rewire the cooktop i my kitchen. Paid $1.39 per foot at Home Depot.

 

[Sully2]

SIR,
keep you cap on tight when you go buy that copper
wire for your project. the prices have gone crazy.
i have a friend that works for BUTLER SUPPLY in
warrenton, and i was asking him about some cable.
he said, you don't want to buy it now, a 250 roll of
12-2 w/grnd is over $100.00. i can remember when i
bought that for $20.00 for the same size roll. wow!!
accordionman
wlbrown
wright city, mo.

HA!....A 100 ft roll of 12-2 with ground HERE is $88. You got the BARGAIN PRICE!!!!..... But the high costs of things is why I'm NOT in some big hurry...not that things will get any cheaper...but I'll buy some of the stuff..and take my time stringing wire..etc..etc... I'll want a decent helmit..so I'll get that and pick up stuff as I go along.

I'll get enough of a shock after I get my VISA bill the end of september for diesel fuel for the upcoming vacation!!! YEEEE GODS!!!