wiring for welding

[KubotainNH]

Hello, I recently was given a 30a-230a dual range Craftmans stick welder. The front says primary 230 volts 50 amps single. I assume this means I will need to wire it to a 2 pole 50amp breaker. What I don't get is that the original 6 foot cord is labeled as 12/3 which I didn't think would handle 50amps so why would I need such a large breaker? For the spikes in current when starting the arc maybe? Seeing wire is expensive I only want to do this once, any thoughts on the guage of the wire? I'm thinkin 8/3 but want another opinion seeing I don't have alot of extra money for overkill. This is all in my basement running about 35 feet. Thanks,

 

[kennyd]

The reason is duty cycle. The EL code treats welder outlets a little differently than your used to because the load is not constant like a oven or other appliance.

You could use 10/2 gauge wire for your feed, but 8/2 would be a better choice and would cover you if you got a new welder in the future. This is discussed A LOT on the welding boards like Weld Talk Message Boards - Powered by vBulletin

 

[Sleepy owl]

Hi my welder is supplied 60 amps from a 200 amp pnl with a 50 amp plug the plug is A foot from pnl.I run a miller 304 inverter and also a miller vintage 250 wire feeder also a 225 lincoln welder and use one welder at a time with no problem.they do make plugs like arc tite with a metal jacket but are very $$ for higher amp disconnects .I had a electrican wire it up.Sleepy owl

 

[MrJimi]

What does your manual say about it?
I would go by the factory manual first
Jim

 

[Sully2]

Hello, I recently was given a 30a-230a dual range Craftmans stick welder. The front says primary 230 volts 50 amps single. I assume this means I will need to wire it to a 2 pole 50amp breaker. What I don't get is that the original 6 foot cord is labeled as 12/3 which I didn't think would handle 50amps so why would I need such a large breaker? For the spikes in current when starting the arc maybe? Seeing wire is expensive I only want to do this once, any thoughts on the guage of the wire? I'm thinkin 8/3 but want another opinion seeing I don't have alot of extra money for overkill. This is all in my basement running about 35 feet. Thanks,

8/3 will definately work...but 10/3 would be OK.

 

[machmeter62]

MIKE: 10/3 would be safe, but 8/3 would be a better choice for future up-grades to prevent any wire heat-up; use that third wire as an additional ground! Use copper wire only!
LEE

 

[KubotainNH]

My future is a garage before another welder so I'm ok with not thinking about upgrading in the basement but I will price both ways. I did not get a manual but can order one if needed just haven't got that far yet. I want a bit more power than my little 110v cheapo stick welder, no huge jobs. The 12/3 on the cord still gets me. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[machmeter62]

MIKE: 10/3 would be safe, but 8/3 would be a better choice for future up-grades to prevent any wire heat-up; use that third wire as an additional ground! Use copper wire only!
LEE

The 12/3 wire on the 6' cord is plenty adequate for six feet; distance and a high AMP load creates heat in a small wire over a longer distance. It's like the difference in flow between a fire-hose vs a long garden hose. Of course you are only pulling a max of 50 AMPS at full power, and 25 AMPS per wire. Hope this helps?

 

[tommu56]

The 12/3 wire on the 6' cord is plenty adequate for six feet; distance and a high AMP load creates heat in a small wire over a longer distance. It's like the difference in flow between a fire-hose vs a long garden hose. Of course you are only pulling a max of 50 AMPS at full power, and 25 AMPS per wire. Hope this helps?

Note:: that each wire will carry the whole load not split as machmeter said>

What go's out one wire has to go back the other wire ground shouldden't be carrying any current.

tom

 

[kennyd]

The 12/3 on the cord still gets me.

As I said before, It's because of the duty cycle of the welder.

Take a look at the specs of THIS Lincoln welder, the specs are probably very similar to yours. You will see that has has a 20% duty cycle, which is explained HERE.
You can also download the manual from the Lincoln site, that's probably who made your Craftsmen unit anyway.


Also, you only NEED 2 conductor (w/ground) wire not 3. Like 10/2 or 8/2.