230v welder wiring question

powerstrokin04

powerstrokin04

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Location
Ellenboro NC
I'm wanting to add another welding circuit to my garage. The welder will be in a separate part of the garage about 75ft away from the breaker panel. So I figured about 100ft of wire. Question is what size wire would be sufficient? I think 8/2 or 6/2? Welder draws no more than 30amps and it's a lincoln175.
 
I personally always oversize my stuff when dealing with electrical. I know its not always needed, but what if you ever wanted or needed to use it to power something else. Just my .02
 
I'm thinking #8 would be minimum at those lengths, but you could oversize based on the possibility of buying a larger welder in the future.
 
I ran 6ga on mine. It is only 40' though. If I need to switch out the 30A breaker for a 40A to run a plasma, I can. The wire is rated for 50A.
 
I ran 6ga aluminum, 'cause it was cheap! Used the anti oxidizing spooge on all connections and used a 50a breaker. I know the circuit is the upper limit of the wire, but my Millermatic 180 is labeled as a 30a draw unit. Ran it wide-ass open long enough on that circuit for the welder to go into thermal shutdown, so I guess it works.
 
6ga is rated for 60amps and 8 is good for 40 or 45 can't remember. That being said my entire shop runs off #6 and a 60 amp breaker. I have a/c, a 5 hp 60 gallon air compressor and a large 230v welder. 10 4ft light fixtures and have only tripped breaker twice in 6 yrs and I use shop alot. I can run any combination of the 3 large items but if all 3 kick on same time is when it trips. Main thing need a large enough circut to handle welder but dont want breaker larger than wire capacity. what is max breaker size for welder. I'd size wire to that if it was mine.
 
6ga cu is rated at 60. Al rates like 50 depending on length. It's a whole lot cheaper, though. Lighter, too. I wound up using the leftover 60' to make an extension cord to get me through a job.

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