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Power requirments for welding machines

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Jody

06-08-2003 21:35:00

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I am looking to purchase an electric welding machine in the near future. I would like a 220v machine and I am wondering how much power it will require as i will have to install the proper breakers. If I have a 200 amp welder (max) I assume I will need a 200 amp breaker? Most of my welding will be 1/4 inch steel and less. Rarely up to 1/2 inch. If i could get away with a 110V unit i would like to. Thanks in advance.

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06-13-2003 23:15:01

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

I'd stay away from the 110 v stick welders if I were you....you'll need the extra amps of the 220 units if you're going to do anything with 3/16" or thicker material. I use 50 amp breakers on my hundred amp circuits for the 225 amp welders that I have but the welder manual will tell you how much you need....40 amps sticks in my mind for some reason. :-)

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Ray

06-12-2003 09:09:08

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

I have my Lincoln welder plugged into a 30 amp circuit that was already in place for a dryer. Not a problem until I welded for ~45 min., which tripped the circuit. 50 amps would work for most applications.

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Robert in W. Mi

06-12-2003 17:26:22

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Re: Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Ray, 06-12-2003 09:09:08

Did you check to see if the wire is sized to handle the load 50 amp breaker can put on it??? If it had a 30 anp breaker, it probably has wire sized for 30 amp, installing the bigger breaker is a GOOD WAY to burn your house/building down!!!!

Haveing said that, i had a 50 amp breaker on my welder for years. When breakers are used near max, they slowly degrade, so in time i was tripping the 50 amp when i had the welder turned up, so, i went to a 60 amp.. I had origionally wired the circut for 70 amp so it wasn't a problem to go with the 60 amp breaker. All my new welding outlets get wired for a 60 amp breaker. Robert

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Ray

06-13-2003 18:53:20

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Re: Re: Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Robert in W. Mi, 06-12-2003 17:26:22

I meant to say that one should size breaker and wire for a 50 amp. I haven't changed the 30 amp, but use the welder so infrequently that it isn't usually a problem. Long term, I need to put in a separate circuit for the welder w/50 amp breaker. Meanwhile, the 30 amp breaker prevents me from burning down the house.
Ray

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Jeff

06-12-2003 19:23:58

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Re: Re: Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Robert in W. Mi, 06-12-2003 17:26:22

My shop is 70A, #6 wire for my welders.(or was it #4?)

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jokers

06-10-2003 16:36:44

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

Hi Jody, the reason that a 200 amp welder doesn`t need a 200 amp breaker is because the open circuit voltage(OCV), ie: the voltage you weld at, is much less than the 220 input. The best way to know what size breaker you need is to check the owners manual or maunfacturer. My Lincoln Square Wave Tig machine takes an 80 amp breaker because it has some big ole capacitors that charge at 72 amps. Normal welding requires much less amperage but the machine still doesn`t work without the 80 amp breaker.

Russ

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Mike

06-09-2003 19:31:58

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

Jody
Whatever you buy buy it bigger than anything you think you need now because when you figure out what you can do with the machine it will only lead to bigger and better projects=bigger machine.
Have to say ditto on the 50amp circuit. I am sure I made a major no-no and hooked both my machines to one circuit, but I can only use one at a time so I don't see it as a problem.Check out weldtalk at hobartwelders.com. Very cool website. Mike.

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ray

06-09-2003 08:03:55

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

Both my Miller and Linde 220V(200 amp) machines (stick & mig ) recommend minimum 40 amp.

MillerWelds.com has manuals online pdf format you can download. In the manuals it explains what is needed to connect the welders to service. Good resource even if you don't buy a Miller. Download the thunderbolt XL manual and look at the voltage/welding current curves - it'll help you understand why the welder does not draw 200amps.

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David - OR

06-09-2003 07:30:10

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

A 50 amp circuit is typical for 200 amp home use welders. There are special rules in the electrical code for how to figure the load, circuit ampacity, and overcurrent protection requirements of welders. (Welders present a variable load and have internal (and practical) duty cycle limitations that allow some downsizing of the circuit over the "worst case" requirements.)

Somme welders require time-delay fuses instead of a circuit breaker due to the high surge currents.

110 volt welders are pretty much worthless for anything heavier than auto body sheet metal or lawn chairs. That 1/4 or 1/2 inch material you want to be able to work with "rarely" is best handled with a SMAW (stick) welder.

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Ben in KY

06-09-2003 05:34:20

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Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Jody, 06-08-2003 21:35:00

a 200 amp welder will probably take a 50-60 amp breaker. The welder you purchase will have it's breaker size requirement listed.

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MPK

06-09-2003 08:55:56

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Re: Re: Power requirments for welding machines in reply to Ben in KY, 06-09-2003 05:34:20

A 50 amp breaker will easily handle a 225 amp welder. That's what I have on mine. Of course it's 230 v.

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