Another welder outlet question

[cj7jeep81]

Getting ready to wire up a 50 amp outlet for my welder. Its a Hobart Stickmate 235/160. Manual calls for a minimum of 12 gauge wire for a 50 amp breaker. Outlet will be about 30' from the panel. I've got some 10/2 romex, would this be ok? If not, I can buy some wire, but would rather avoid the cost if not needed.

This is going in my shed, so there will never be an oven or somethign else plugged in, just this welder (which I doubt will ever see max output).

 

[Charles (in GA)]

If the welder does not need a neutral for anything (internal 120v circuits) then the 10/2 will work fine. Personally, I adhere to the bigger is better mantra with electricity, but since you already have the cable is it meets or exceeds the specs..........

Charles

 

[Alchymist]

Just make sure that the outlet is clearly marked "For Welder Use Only". NEC requirement (I believe) for using an otherwise too large breaker on a given size wire.

 

[cj7jeep81]

thanks for the replies. checked my breaker yesterday, and acceptable wires sizes listed on it are 8 ga to 2 ga, so looks like I have to buy some wire anyway.

 

[cj7jeep81]

ended up getting some 6-6-6 aluminum, as the shop had it for a decent bit less than the 8-2 copper.

 

[babzog]

I used 6/2 wire for mine (rated to 60A). Heater wire. Pricey @ $7 / ft. Fortunately, I only needed $70 worth. Used with a 50A breaker and socket.

 

[cj7jeep81]

I used 6/2 wire for mine (rated to 60A). Heater wire. Pricey @ $7 / ft. Fortunately, I only needed $70 worth. Used with a 50A breaker and socket.

that is expensive. i bought 35 feet, was $1.06 a foot

 

[MoonRise]

ended up getting some 6-6-6 aluminum, as the shop had it for a decent bit less than the 8-2 copper.

Now you have to make SURE that all the 'devices' are rated as acceptable for use with aluminum wiring (not all of them are) as well as smearing some No-Alox (anti-oxidation goop) on the aluminum wire where it is connected to the (properly rated for use with aluminum wire) devices (outlets, breakers, switches, etc). As well as double-checking that #6 aluminum wire is acceptable, current-wise, where a minimum #12 copper was specified (I suspect it is, but I will leave it to you to check).

Me? I would have just run full amp rated copper wire (#6 AWG copper and the 50 amp breaker and the most likely 'standard' NEMA 6-50R outlet/receptacle) and called it done. No worries, no major fuss, no problem or issues with running something other than a welder on the circuit.

YMMV.

 

[babzog]

that is expensive. i bought 35 feet, was $1.06 a foot

For 6/2? Wow, that's a deal! Torbram (where I bought it) had to special order it from another location.

 

[Brad Beam]

For 6/2? Wow, that's a deal! Torbram (where I bought it) had to special order it from another location.

Just bought some for 1.36/lf

 

[sberry]

Yup, you had the easy button, the 10 would have been fine.

 

[cj7jeep81]

Yup, you had the easy button, the 10 would have been fine.

yeah, i would have used the 10, but the 50amp breaker listed #8-#2 as acceptable sizes, so I didn't want to risk it by using the 10. The 6 gauge wire was about $40, so worth the piece of mind.

 

[babzog]

Just bought some for 1.36/lf

Wow! Just... wow! I guess I shouldn't be surprised... I ordered my spool of RG6 quadshield from the US and saved a mint. I need to find some electrical supply outlets nr Ogdensburg for future jobs.

 

[mrb]

Now you have to make SURE that all the 'devices' are rated as acceptable for use with aluminum wiring (not all of them are) as well as smearing some No-Alox (anti-oxidation goop) on the aluminum wire where it is connected to the (properly rated for use with aluminum wire) devices (outlets, breakers, switches, etc). As well as double-checking that #6 aluminum wire is acceptable, current-wise, where a minimum #12 copper was specified (I suspect it is, but I will leave it to you to check).

Me? I would have just run full amp rated copper wire (#6 AWG copper and the 50 amp breaker and the most likely 'standard' NEMA 6-50R outlet/receptacle) and called it done. No worries, no major fuss, no problem or issues with running something other than a welder on the circuit.

YMMV.

I have a case of Leviton 6-50R, just looked at one and its CU-AL so those are ok to use with aluminum wire.