115v 20a outlet

[MIGweldingTIG]

Hi, I am 17 with no experience with electricity or welding, but I want to start welding. I have found a welder that uses a 115v 20a outlet and I have been looking everywhere for a picture of one and I can't find it; at least I don't think I have. Can someone please provide a picture of a 115v 20a outlet? Also, if my garage doesn't have the outlet, how would I get it installed?

Much appreciated.

 

[markietas]

Here is the difference between 15a and 20a

Is the garage attached or detached?

Is their a electrical panel in it?

If its attached or there is an panel it may not be much trouble to have one installed.

Also its possible that your garage already has 20a circuits, often garages are wired with 12 awg wire ( which is needed for 20 amps ) but standard 15a outlets are used.

This is because any modern 15a outlet is going to be rated for 20a pass through.

Find your electrical panel and look at the breaker that's marked as the outlets in the garage ( it might not be marked tho ).

If anything that I have said makes no sense to you perhaps you should talk to an electrician and your options.

Anyways once everyone else wakes up you will probably get some better advice and questions.

 

[sberry]

Do these migs come with a 20A plug? I don't recall seeing one? What model is this? I cant recall ever seeing one that didn't come 5-15-p

 

[nehog]

This should be in the electrical forum, perhaps a mod can move it.

You need the NEMA 5-20, which is highlighted in cyan in the picture!

 

[theoldwizard1]

... I have found a welder that uses a 115v 20a outlet ...

Do these migs come with a 20A plug? I don't recall seeing one? What model is this? I cant recall ever seeing one that didn't come 5-15-p

I can't say I have EVER seen any tool/appliance with a 5-20P either !

The real issue is not the plug/receptacle. It is the wire and breaker that protects the receptacle. For 20A your need 12 gauge wire. Not many garages are wired with 12 gauge, unless someone was really thinking ahead of time.

 

[sberry]

If its got a 20 breaker he is good to go. Its sposed to have a 12. If its a spec built home maybe not, if it was a diy or premium contractor job probably does have 12.

It seems the only time I have seen 20A is floor cleaning equipment in institutions where they don't want these large appliances being added to the general circuits. Long cords to dedicated circuits.

 

[bobemmerich]

Here is what they look like for a STANDARD 15 amp and 20 amp (15 on left, 20 on right)... If not, then use the plug that Nehog suggests.
A pic of the plug would be helpful. For what it's worth, my Century model 80 120V "mig/wire feed" uses the standard 120v, 20A receptacle pictured.
Oh yeah, Welcome to GJ!

 

[volleyball]

If you want to get started, it would be best to find a welding class, either through your HS or community college or a welding school.
May be easier to start with a stick and work your way from there.
Before you go far, are your parents on board with this? It is their home, and I assume they will be paying the electrician.

 

[mhoss44]

I am 54, and have done just about everything you can do to a house, construction wise, or helped anyways. Except electrical and Heat and Air. I had a shop built, and set about doing the carpentry trim, and the Electrical. I bought a Black and Decker book for $15 about electricity and wiring, It helped me a lot, I learned a lot. We put in a separate line for the shop, power company delivered the outside meter box shell, I dug a hole 30 inches deep and ran the 3 inch conduit a few feet from the house, then a contractor tied the line to the box. I did everything else, with a couple of hours of help from my BroInLaw to get me started. Once I started doing it, it made sense. Now I have 16 receptacles, and two light switches in the shop. A ceiling fan. I learned a lot, and had fun running the electric. 250 feet of 12 gauge Romex included. I am retired, and wanted a challenge. I suggest the B&D book. Go from there. Enjoy !

 

[csp]

Do these migs come with a 20A plug? I don't recall seeing one? What model is this? I cant recall ever seeing one that didn't come 5-15-p

I have a Craftsman (rebadged Century) 150 amp, 115V welder with the 20A plug.

 

[sberry]

It makes sense from a power perspective, for giggles looked at Hobarts and all I see listed is 15's

I will agree there is no time like the present for a 17 yr old to learn a basic circuit, something you can get a PHD or even some engineering degrees without being able to install an outlet. These are the people running the country.

 

[MIGweldingTIG]

It's a Lincoln Electric K2185-1 Handy MIG Welder

 

[MIGweldingTIG]

The garage is attached

 

[MIGweldingTIG]

I just checked by breaker and I'm not entirely sure where to check, but if it's any help I saw that the breaker has a max ampage of 200. The switches don't have anything to indicate garage outlets; though.

 

[joeysh03]

Sounds like your not exactly sure what you are doing. I would call an electrician. Sounds like your panel is a max of 200amps.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Need to find the individual breaker that controls the garage receptacles. On the top of the handle, molded into it will be a 15 or a 20. That is the amperage of the breaker. Hopefully, if someone used a 20 amp breaker they wired 12 gauge wire to it.

If nothing else, plug a radio into the garage receptacle and turn it up so you can hear it at the breaker panel, and one by one, trip off the single handled breakers. If the radio keeps playing, turn it on and go to the next one. Don't bother with the double wide handles/breakers, as those are 240v for the air conditioners, water heater, and stove or range/oven. Only problem will be the need to reset all of the electronic devices in the house, since you will be killing power to them, one by one.

Charles

20 amp on the handle.

20a on the face of the breaker.

 

[AnEv942]

The Lincoln welder mentioned uses a standard 3 prong plug-(nema 5-15p). Would plug into a typical house 15amp receptacle, either of the 2 bobemmerich posted.
It would not plug into the nema plug Nehog pictured.

 

[sberry]

Who woulda thunk it?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The Lincoln welder mentioned uses a standard 3 prong plug-(nema 5-15p). Would plug into a typical house 15amp receptacle, either of the 2 bobemmerich posted.
It would not plug into the nema plug Nehog pictured.

Actually, he should have highlighted the one directly to the left of it, which is a NEMA 5-15/20 if you will, as it will accommodate both 5-15 and 5-20 plugs. This receptacle is extremely common. This one is illustrated by Bob the Yuengling Beer man, as the one to the right in his pic.

Charles

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Lincoln welder mentioned uses a standard 3 prong plug-(nema 5-15p). Would plug into a typical house 15amp receptacle, either of the 2 bobemmerich posted.
It would not plug into the nema plug Nehog pictured.

I believe you have your plugs and receptacle mixed up. A plug is male (prongs sticking out). A receptacle is female (has holes/slots).

What Nehog referenced is the correct PLUG. It will only plug into the 5-20 receptacle on the right hand side of Bob's picture.


Now the real question is why would a manufacturer use a 15A plug on a piece of equipment that can draw 20A (as stated in their own specs). They must be assuming that the breaker is sized correctly for the wire and will prevent the wire from overheating. The flip side is, the consumer is likely to be unhappy when he plugs his equipment into that 15A rated receptacle and the breaker repeatedly trips.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Now the real question is why would a manufacturer use a 15A plug on a piece of equipment that can draw 20A (as stated in their own specs). They must be assuming that the breaker is sized correctly for the wire and will prevent the wire from overheating. The flip side is, the consumer is likely to be unhappy when he plugs his equipment into that 15A rated receptacle and the breaker repeatedly trips.

Because the manufacturer knows that 99% of these welders will be used at home or in home shops and it would be extremely rare to find a NEMA 5-20 receptacle at a residence. I'm willing to wager that at least 75% of the buyers of this welder, if faced with a having a ba$tard plug (in their eyes) on the welder would, rather than install a new receptacle, or whole new circuit, simply cut off the plug and install a common 5-15 plug.

Is this wrong? certainly, but most people, faced with 1) changing a plug on a cord, or 2) replacing a receptacle in a wall box.... will opt for the plug because........
1) its easier and
2) its safer, you cannot get shocked, and
3) they don't know anything about house wiring and receptacles and such, but they darn sure know how to put a plug on a (dead) cord.

Charles

 

[volleyball]

Mfg have no control what a customer would do. But they have to put the correct plug on their unit.
Why guess what people would do? They aren't here.

 

[AnEv942]

I believe you have your plugs and receptacle mixed up. A plug is male (prongs sticking out). A receptacle is female (has holes/slots).

What Nehog referenced is the correct PLUG. It will only plug into the 5-20 receptacle on the right hand side of Bob's picture.


Now the real question is why would a manufacturer use a 15A plug on a piece of equipment that can draw 20A (as stated in their own specs). They must be assuming that the breaker is sized correctly for the wire and will prevent the wire from overheating. The flip side is, the consumer is likely to be unhappy when he plugs his equipment into that 15A rated receptacle and the breaker repeatedly trips.

Well No, Yes correct-my bad- I tend to slip using words with fewer syllables. I generally refer to thing on the wall that has slots as plugs-second as outlets, lastly as receptacle.

Point is the male plug supplied with the welder will not fit a female "receptacle" with the pattern Nehog highlighted.
Or in this case the OP, MIGweldingTIG, identified that he indeed has 'correct' 20 amp receptacle highlighted, or worse pays to have one added, figured good to go, orders his welder and finds it wont fit.

Which if the breaker box is in the garage, or accessible (unfinished walls) having a dedicated 20amp circuit added with at least one outlet wouldn't be that expensive (or difficult). I assume folks are involved in this?

I added a dedicated 20amp circuit in shop for my Lincoln 140c welder. It's output a bit higher, than OPs. Ill add not only does it have a standard 15-p plug, the supplied cord is 14AWG SPT3.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Mfg have no control what a customer would do. But they have to put the correct plug on their unit.

It Is the correct voltage. The equipment can draw more current than that specific receptacle.

Will the plug or receptacle be damaged if the welder draws 20A ? Highly unlikely. Remember welders are "duty cycle" machines. Any decent modern welder will likely shutdown from overtemp long before the plug or receptacle start to fail.

As Charles said, putting a 15A plug on the end will prevent most homeowners from buying a 20A receptacle and following that up with a 20A breaker on 14 gauge wiring.

 

[nehog]

Actually, he should have highlighted the one directly to the left of it, which is a NEMA 5-15/20 i...

You're right, the highlighting was already part of the image so I stuck with it.

 

[sberry]

I added a dedicated 20amp circuit in shop for my Lincoln 140c welder. It's output a bit higher, than OPs. Ill add not only does it have a standard 15-p plug, the supplied cord is 14AWG SPT3.

Short duty cycle. It isn't that the plug isn't good for the durrent, there are several considerations when equipping a machine with a plug which I can let someone else elaborate on.

 

[CADPoint]

What's not said about the welder is that the main part in general; it's a motor.

With a UL listing, a listing represents the voltage of the main power usage of
the equipment thus the motors voltage is described.

The motor has a lower voltage starting tolerance, and in general most do!

Modern electrical wiring methods subscribe to a 20 AMP receptacles for a
garage.

Other than most all of the other fine suggestions made, buy the proper
fire extinguisher!

K2185-1

 

[BFBOB]

Sounds like your not exactly sure what you are doing.

Yeah, well, none of us is born knowing what we're doing. Maybe you knew everything by 17; I didn't and I suspect most people didn't. Give the guy a break - at least he's making the effort to learn!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What's not said about the welder is that the main part in general; it's a motor.

With a UL listing, a listing represents the voltage of the main power usage of
the equipment thus the motors voltage is described.

The motor has a lower voltage starting tolerance, and in general most do!

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[CADPoint]

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Should I qualify that this welder uses a motor, that the 115V listed is because the motor is the biggest energy user of this system?

Anything else?

 

[Zeke]

When doing installations in existing tract homes I always knew when the 15 A outlet was on a 20 A 12 ga. circuit by the way my bigger power tools behaved. Lots of 15 A receptacles out there that don't comply with the chart. I think this has been explained here a few times.

 

[fourjeepin]

I learned to weld with one of those cheap mig buzz boxes. A buddy of mine bought it as it was cheaper than replacing some gear on his forerunner. Me and another buddy watched the video that came with it and started looking for scrap metal to booger weld together!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Should I qualify that this welder uses a motor, that the 115V listed is because the motor is the biggest energy user of this system?

Anything else?

A rather small motor used to push the wire to the gun. The remainder of the energy consumption of the unit is the arc and its circuitry.

And the fan, wouldn't want to forget the fan.

Charles

 

[Flexia]

I highly doubt you will have the welder set to use 20a. That's prob will do 3/8 thick metal. I know I'm gonna take some heat on this but just put a 20a outlet in your garage. If the breaker pops your pulling more then 15a. (That is if its a 15a circuit) Hey that's what breakers are for

 

[Syberia]

Many 15 amp outlets are already on 20 amp circuits. The only 20A outlets in my house are in the bathrooms, but the only 15A circuit is for ighting.

Suggestion for the OP, find out which breaker controls your garage. If it has the number "20" on it, as it very well may, either change out one of the outlets in the garage for a 20 amp outlet that will fit the welder's plug (they're about $2 at Home Depot) or change out the welder's plug for one that will fit the outlet.

 

[AnEv942]

Should I qualify that this welder uses a motor, that the 115V listed is because the motor is the biggest energy user of this system?
Anything else?

Umm the 'motor' in the Lincoln 120v welder is a 12volt dc can motor. Without pulling, my guess and possible further misinformation is the motor my 12th scale radio controlled rock crawler uses more amps.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

When doing installations in existing tract homes I always knew when the 15 A outlet was on a 20 A 12 ga. circuit by the way my bigger power tools behaved. Lots of 15 A receptacles out there that don't comply with the chart. I think this has been explained here a few times.

Actually, NEC 210.21(B)(3) and table by the same number, show that when two or more 15 amp receptacles are installed on a 20 amp circuit, it is legal. A lone duplex receptacle is considered two receptacles as defined by the NEC.

Table 210.24 also provides a very good summary of branch circuit requirements including receptacle ratings.

Charles

 

[CADPoint]

Umm the 'motor' in the Lincoln 120v welder is a 12volt dc can motor. Without pulling, my guess and possible further misinformation is the motor my 12th scale radio controlled rock crawler uses more amps.

Ok, made a mistake on this one, I seem to have made some mistakes over all with this
thread, excuse me...

 

[Coolerman]

I have this same welder. For the first two years I had it, I ran it on a 12ga extension cord (10' long) that had a 20 amp receptacle in a plastic box on the welder end, and a normal 15 amp plug on the other. It was about 20 foot from the outlet I used it on, to the basement breaker box. I NEVER kicked the 15 amp breaker.

My new shop has all 20 amp outlets on GFCI breakers. First time I plugged in the welder and tried to strike an arc it kicked the GFCI breaker. I had to install a dedicated non-GFCI outlet in order to run the welder.
(It does have a 20 amp receptacle in it) I did try one of the receptacle style GFCI's but it also kicked. I came here and researched and found out why.

I plan to buy a new 220V welder next year. I already have the dedicated outlet for it. I think I have learned to weld good enough to justify one...