Wiring the garage for a welder...

[JR2]

Okay so a few years back I got a steal on a welder ($100 for a Century 170GS and linconln Cart to boot). Its a 220V mig welder and I need to set up my garage to use this thing. The garage has 200 amp service in it (or so I have been told). There is a breaker box in the garage and I plan on just adding a breaker to it and then wiring in the proper plug. My question is how big of a breaker do I need (No manual with the welder) and how big of wire to the 22v plug.





Here is some info on the welder http://guytoys.net/migs/83170.htm

Its tought to find info as Century no longer exists...





JR2

 

[Philip]

My 250 century takes a 25 amp breaker. So most likely yours takes a 20 amp.



Look for a tag on the back that lists input wattage. Devide the voltage into the wattage and that gives your amperage.

 

[B.G. Smith]

You will need a 50 amp breaker and #8 wire. The first calculation I did was with 240 volts. bg http://www.pljohnson.com/electrical/poweranddist/conductors/voltdrop.shtml

 

[2-ND TIME]

wiring for garage

For a #10 wire you should have a 30 A breaker. For most of my welding I don't draw more then 17 amps. I have 3/10 for my welder but I know that it is on the light side. It is a 250 A . I should be using #8 but I will wait till I can get a good deal for it. The Manufacture should be able to provide you with the book on the welder that you have or on the net somewhere. It may take some time do get some tips for your welder. Don't lend it you unless you can trust the person. Brotherinlaw rented mine out and even today hasn't told me the truth. sbnrb.

 

[Kimber]

If you'll click the specs on your link, it says 50 amp input for your model. I would say #6 wire(good for 60a) on a 50amp breaker

 

[ACoyle]

I have found the link below very valuable. So much so that I cut and pasted it into my iPaq.

http://www.greatinspector.com/faq-elec-wiresize.html

It pretty much covers the gambit.



AC



When I had an 180 AMP DC miller welder in my garage, I used a 50 Amp 220 breaker.

 

[ACoyle]

Just took a closer look. Also check out

http://www.greatinspector.com/

Prticularly the technical FAQ's



Enjoy



AC

 

[Nate]

50 amp and 8AWG. You "can" do 30 amp but you'll find that more than likely it will pop the breaker when your welding with the power all the way up.

 

[robertyoke]

I have a little wire fed 220v lincoln sp130t and it was fine with 30a and 10 gage wire. then I bought a powermig 300 lincoln and it specks for #6 wire and 60a service. I had to put in a second outlet, in a finished building.

I guess what i am saying is dont skimp if you will up grade your welder down the road!

-robert

 

[JR2]

Well since I don't even know how to weld I doubt I will be upgrading any time soon. I got a manual from Lincoln (who bought Century a year or so ago) and it says to use a 50amp time delayed breaker?? I guess the guy at the electric supply place will set me up. I will use the biggest wire I can get in the box, I love overkill.



Thanks for all the help

 

[nickleinonen]

I love overkill.

:-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[rbattelle]

I spoke with a local electrical shop recently about large wiring. They suggested going with 2 ga. aluminum feeder wire, which will easily hold 75 amp (for NM-B) and only runs $1. 05-$1. 20 per foot. This is MUCH cheaper than equivalently-sized copper wire.



-Ryan

 

[JAderhold]

I just wired my Horbart Ironman 210 up today, the book called for 12GA with no more than 60 foot, I used 10GA and only went 30 foot for the time being, will instal a second plug on the other end of shop later on, also used 50 AMP breaker.



Eddie

 

[rbattelle]

Wow, that Ironman takes remarkably little input current. I guess all MIGs are like that? I'm currently learning to arc weld, and those machines need much bigger input current (the machine I'm looking at getting takes 48 amp at full load).



-Ryan

 

[DMcPherson]

my hobart 235 tig is running off of a 30 amp breaker right now, (need to upgrade service) and I think 12awg and I have had no problems. even cranked up. I just want run the compressor at the same time

 

[rbattelle]

I think NEC says you need 10 ga. minimum for a 30 amp circuit.



-Ryan

 

[JAderhold]

the book that came with the ironman called for a 35 amp time delay breaker or a 40 amp regular breaker, i already had a 50 amp that came with the 200 amp service box i put in when i built my shop so i used it.

all i can say is that 210 is way better than the little 130 amp 110 welder i have had for a couple of years, should have bought the bigger welder when i bought the little on but was short on cash.



Eddie

 

[Rotty]

I love brick house symdrone. #6 copper on a 50 amp breaker. Never even have to give it a second thought again.

Yes, you pay for copper, but then again I never have to worry.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Has one of the electricians at work hook me up with 35 feet of #8 a 40 amp breaker and the outlet I need for my Hobart 180 mig all for the whopping price of $30. I think my book said a 30 amp breaker for the 180 which should be similar to the Century.

 

[2-ND TIME]

welder

What size cord is on the back of your welder?