Not on a welding machine of that type. You can use a number 8 wire with a 50A breaker for it. Check Article 630.11 (A) for welding machines and also the manual of the machine. It is slightly different than wiring for a range. Actually it needs a wire that would carry 33 amps continious for that 42 amp draw machine, but since 10 is only good for 30 you must go to the next size which is 8, so even 8 is slightly better,,, and to boot, they allow 125 ft on 8 for a mm251. (they allow 8 at 200V and at 48A input) In reality that machine draws about 35 running 035 with C25 gas about as hard as you can run it. Number 8 for home welders is plenty.

 

8 is good enough for a welder, but in NY im pretty sure if you are going to run a 50 amp breaker you need to have a 50 amp wire which would be 6 cause 8 is only rated to 45 amps.

 

Not on welding machines of this type. Again, read article 630.11 (a) In fact some machines are allowed to run with a number 12 wire and a 50A breaker, in NY or any other state. The input wiring for machines is rated by their duty cycle and the book has a chart fo this. I think its a poor idea to put the 12 wire there even if its allowed but on shorter runs a 10 is actually fine, IF recomended by manufacturer which is done under NEMA guidelines. These small stick machines have duty cycles as low as 20% on some of them. I am sure Lowes would feel better with you recommending number 6 for all 50A circuits but it isnt always the case with special equipment such as motors and welding machines. In fact I know they have a policy of not letting sales people actually quote code. pruitts machine calls for an 8 wire on page 15 of the manual of his machine, and if fused he can acttually use up to 60A on it. This isnt to say that you cant use a bigger wire, but 8 is already over wired for these machines and especially in his case as he wants to make a splice he could do it with wirenuts in a J box if he is using 8, if he goes to 6 he must split bolt or lug.

 

I like to wire for the possibilty of using a different machine in the future that may be a higher duty rating... You can never tell what you or someone else may plug in 5 years from now.

 

His machine is about as good as it gets in the small garage and for a lot of other places for that matter. Running a larger wire certainly doesnt hurt anything and in theory will make for better service most of the time, especially feeding panels. This is part of the reason for using the right type of recepts such as a 6-50-R for welding machines and range recepts which are also 50A for ranges. Using heavier wire also adds to the expence and sometimes the difficulty of installation and connection. I too lean towards wiring on the heavy side, especially with recept circuits that have distance on them where large tools may be plugged in. I never use 14 wire for general recepts. I also agree that some of the standards for welding machines are marginal at best and wouldnt use them either. For anyone that likely uses this forum 8 wire will be plenty. The only time it might be an issue would be with 250A plus stick machines and they will have a higher than 50A input spec.

 

well you are right, we are not suposed to quote codes. I know that the # 8 wire is under rated and shouldnt have a problem with 50 amps but i like to be safe. As far as codes go they dont give us a book so i only know what contractors and inspectors tell me, saves lowes on lawsuites i guess.

 

I have a #6 AWG 30' extension cord I made for my 225A welder.

 

Yes, the 6 makes an excellent cord. If you had to buy it and couldnt salvage one a number 10 will work just as good for that type of welder at that distance, costs way less and is easier to handle.

 

as far as wiring, bigger is always better

 

I got an excellent deal on the cable

 

Please excuse me if some one has stated this. I had the same problem at my house. I pulled two breakers on my power pack and installed 90 amp breakers then I ran wire to two new sub panels. From those I ran welder, compressor, A/C and misc 120v and 220v circuits. The sub panels is what bailed me out. All of this was done within electrical code guidelines and inspected by our county inspectors. Check your codes and see what they will allow you to do.

 

I have to agree with using larger capacity wire. It allows increase at the supply side in the future, if necessary, without having to rip out & replace the installed wire...(usually imbeddded in walls, structure,etc.) Once the supply side has been increased,(new breaker-box, sub-panel..) all you have to do is change the receptacle at the other end of the wires to one that fits the increased rating.(Check with an electrician for wire size, voltage, and amps to select your wire size requirements) I don't think that there are any regulations against using larger wire than required for a circuit. I hope this helps. "bigger wire heats less under load,and even though it costs more is still a better bargain than having to collect on fire insurance!" Just my .02

 

You Could Upgrade The Existing Panel With A 200 Amp Upgrade.this Is A Bit Expensive.if Your Welders Are 220v Than Your Existing Panel Might Not Handle It.you Would Need To Upgrade To A 3phase Panel

 

• If new box is over 50' from wiring panel go up a size of wire
• get 4 ,1/2 breakers to make room for new 50A double pole breaker
• don't have to run the circuit in pipe unless it is easier..Can use 6/3/w,gnd for up to 50'. 4/3 >50'
• Can make up long extension cord for unit..

 

At work we have a large electric reefer truck for bead and when they wired it up the used 8 instead of 6 so they had to redo the whole wiring from the panel to the trailer so i snaged the old stuff. made a nice exstention cord for my mill arc