30 amp vs. 50 amp use

[tomshep]

I am in the process of wiring 220 service for my shop.

I have a welder that needs 30 amp service and a compressor that needs 50 amp.

I am going to put a few extra outlets on each wall before I put up drywall so now is the time to wire.

My question is, how often am I going to need 50 amp service?

What equipment requires 50?

What do most plasma cutters require?

I am thinking I likely don't need 50 and am thinking of running 30 which also saves me on wire.

Thanks for the comments.

Tom

 

[pattenp]

My question is, how often am I going to need 50 amp service?

If you are just a home DIY'er, then probably never.

What equipment requires 50?

For one, larger plasma cutters capable of cutting through 1/2" and thicker steel.

What size compressor do you have that needs 50A?

 

[paranoid56]

thats what i was thinking too, what is this huge air compresser you have

 

[tomshep]

The compressor is an IR that is carried at TSC. It is a two-stage unit that will run a bead blaster. In reading the specs on-line, it is 50.

So, from your comments it sounds like I can go with 10/2 instead of 8/2.

Interestingly, the welder is a Millermatic 210. I called Miller tech and they confirmed the welder actually runs on 30. However, they said the "industry standard in welding is a 50 plug". Doesn't make sense to me, but that is what the tech line said. This plug was part of my confusion on setting everything up. It didn't match the requirement of the machine. I asked about plasma cutters and he also said they all come with 50 plugs.

Tom

 

[SeattleKent]

Don't you mean 10/3?

I would spend the extra bucks and run 8/3 w/ground in the walls. Then in the future if you need 50amp then all you have to do is upgrade a breaker. Small cost now saves a lot of work later.

 

[pattenp]

10/2 w/g is correct for just 240V. 10/3 w/g would be correct if the device also needs 120V. I'm not aware of any welders or compressors that use a neutral.

Also if you put in a 50A circuit with a 50A outlet you need to use #6 wire.

 

[01ssreda4]

Go bigger now and save a possible headache later.

 

[lilredex]

Put in 50 Amp. If you ever intend to use a stick welder like a Lincoln tombstone, you'll need it.

The guy, before me, that wired my garage put in 30 Amp, and if set at 90 Amp (welder) you can only make very short bursts or the fuse blows. Kind of limits what you can weld!!

 

[sberry]

10/2 w/g is correct for just 240V. 10/3 w/g would be correct if the device also needs 120V. I'm not aware of any welders or compressors that use a neutral.

Also if you put in a 50A circuit with a 50A outlet you need to use #6 wire.

It might be a good idea with cable in walls but a Lincoln buzzer can be wired (single circuit in pipe) 12 wire, 50A breaker and outlet.

 

[TurnipTruck]

My welder and my plasma both came from the factory with 50A plugs, so every 220 outlet in my shop is a 50.

 

[Falcon67]

Plasma cutter's require air, so your plasma and the compressor can both be pulling power at the same time. Better take that into account also. Depending on the distance, etc you may want to run #4 and breaker it at 50 or 60A.

 

[1967marti]

I have 100 amp service to my shop (pulled 2gage from a 200 amp main panel).
I have a few bit toys in there and they all have their own breaker.
I would not share a breaker between a compressor and a welder. Give each it's own breaker and outlet.
The 50 amp sounds weird for your compressor... What does the sticker on the side of the motor say?