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50amp Welder circuit

NRChopshop

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I did a search for specific info but only got about half of it. I need to pull wiring for my welder. For a 50amp circuit other than pulling 2-#8s and 1-#10 THHN, im assuming its accpetable to run 8-2 Romex. Correct me if im wrong please

Reason i ask is that i have a ~25-30 ft run to the shop wall i need the outlet on. i priced out both wiring alternatives and the Romex, even though its more footage is still more cost effective and would allow me to run another outlet on the opposing wall. Only issue with the romex is that 6ft of the wiring has to be in conduit coming down out of the ceiling. I could run romex to a junction box then some of my left over THHN down to the outlets, but i want to know whats acceptable. I dont want to do things twice
 
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rinny_tin_tin

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I did a search for specific info but only got about half of it. I need to pull wiring for my welder. For a 50amp circuit other than pulling 2-#8s and 1-#10 THHN, im assuming its accpetable to run 8-2 Romex. Correct me if im wrong please

Reason i ask is that i have a ~25-30 ft run to the shop wall i need the outlet on. i priced out both wiring alternatives and the Romex, even though its more footage is still more cost effective and would allow me to run another outlet on the opposing wall. Only issue with the romex is that 6ft of the wiring has to be in conduit coming down out of the ceiling. I could run romex to a junction box then some of my left over THHN down to the outlets, but i want to know whats acceptable. I dont want to do things twice

Nothing prohibits you from running Romex in conduit-- as long as you can pull it -- -so you can run Romex the entire length.
 

walrus

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If you use romex you have to derate to 60 degree column, not sure #8 is big enough?
 

Ezzie

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#8-2 is good for 40A, but how often and long will you be drawing an "actual" 50A of current while welding. If you think it is a concern, go up to #6-2. When I did my welder circuit, I looked all over for #6-2 romex but couldn't find it anywhere (only #6-3 at big$$$).
 
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NRChopshop

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Adding a TIG welder to my arsenal is definitely not out of the question. Research on this site pointed to #8 so thats what i asked about. If i need to go to 6 then I will.
 

35mastr

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#8-2 is good for 40A, but how often and long will you be drawing an "actual" 50A of current while welding. If you think it is a concern, go up to #6-2. When I did my welder circuit, I looked all over for #6-2 romex but couldn't find it anywhere (only #6-3 at big$$$).

Home depot has 6/2 and 6/3 in 125 foot rolls of Romex for 136.00.

I just ran 6/3 to my shed yesterday for my compressor and Tig welder.
 

Aceman

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Adding a TIG welder to my arsenal is definitely not out of the question. Research on this site pointed to #8 so thats what i asked about. If i need to go to 6 then I will.

Like posted above, if you want the full 50 amps, you'll need #6 Romex or #6 SE cable. They're similar cables, you might be able to find one easier than the other.

I just ran 6/3 to my shed yesterday for my compressor and Tig welder.

You ran 6-3 Romex outside to your shed?
 

sberry

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What model welder? 8 is good to 50A for most welder circuits, they are different than general use circuits, some machines allow for number 8 up to 100A.
 

JMURiz

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Home depot has 6/2 and 6/3 in 125 foot rolls of Romex for 136.00.

I just ran 6/3 to my shed yesterday for my compressor and Tig welder.

Just a noob wiring question, when is 6/2 vs 6/3 needed?
I am thinking of running a 50amp for future welders etc as well.
(probably runing a 30amp outlet for a MIG in another location)
 
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35mastr

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Just a noob wiring question, when is 6/2 vs 6/3 needed?
I am thinking of running a 50amp for future welders etc as well.
(probably runing a 30amp outlet for a MIG in another location)


Voltage drop if your run is long.You dont want any voltage drop when welding.It will make for a ****** duty cycle and can damage the welder.

I am running 60 Amps with about a 60 or so foot run.Thats why I went with the heaviest gauge that I could fit into 3/4 conduit that I already had existing.
 

35mastr

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Like posted above, if you want the full 50 amps, you'll need #6 Romex or #6 SE cable. They're similar cables, you might be able to find one easier than the other.



You ran 6-3 Romex outside to your shed?

Ran Romex inside and 4, #6 inside of conduit tied then in together at a splice box in my shed.

I call it a shed but its more of a small shop.12x16x11
 
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NRChopshop

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What model welder? 8 is good to 50A for most welder circuits, they are different than general use circuits, some machines allow for number 8 up to 100A.

Lincoln PowerMig 300.

Miller Sychrowave 200 TIG in the future
 
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sberry

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A 200 synch needs a minimum of number 8 which would suffice in a home/hobby environment, if I was really cooking on it constant or long run, say over 50 ft or so I would likely go 6 but wouldn't lose sleep over it either way. I am not familiar with wire requirements for the Linc but its likely 8 and couldn't miss with 6 especially at home where this is likely a one wire one gas setup, different demands than a factory running flat out with a process designed for production.
 

Blown71X

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If a TIG is really in your future, don`t skimp, A Transformer TIG will draw alot more than you think especially in unbalanced AC
The Lincoln 255 I just got requires 74 amps input at rated output and can touch close to 90 amps input above 180 amps output in unbalanced AC..Now if you have the bucks to spring for a Inverter machine then ignore this :)

Rick
 
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