Adding a welder circuit

[Jwbfx4]

Well after a lot of planning, got my shop wired up by a local company a while back. Originally I was only planning on having a small welder, because I can use the big ones at work anytime. I have traded and acquired a Lincoln power mig 255 all of a sudden. Now I need it fixed up to use. My local guy is shutdown right now due to surgery so I was hoping to go ahead get this finished.

I would like to use 14r 50 plugs because that’s what is the standard at Work has been swapped to. Going that route nothing will hook to the neutral, any code issues there? It will be a 20 foot run from my panel....I’m seeing quite a few different wire sizes that is recommended. What would be the best for me to use? Also will be needing a 60 foot extension cord. This will get me outside where I will be setting up some work. What is the recommended cable type for this?

Would I be better off pulling a 4 wire as opposed to a 3 due to the plugs I’m using. Would that still work will my welder even though it doesn’t need the neutral?

Will appreciate any help, thanks. Attached is the welder specs. I’m capable of doing all the work just not sure of sizing requirements.

 

[sberry]

The 255 will make some poop. I believe that it is in the same class as a 251MM. What it's capable of and what it will be used for can be 2 different things. They make a 50 ft "welder" cord available from suppliers, ends molded on and priced competitively from making one. It's a full cord for these 250 plus machines with big duty cycles. They are the only ones with factory cord that is larger than 12.
It takes a special gas and usually heavier gun for this, a small shop with small wire and C25 isn't so greedy.
Ok,, your work may use a 14 plug but it isn't what comes on these. They,,, and the ready made cord is 6 50 , common typical welder recept for decades.

 

[sberry]

Ok, the pic is blurry, some older models maybe not as hot allowed for number 10 in pipe with these. The safe bet is number 8. Will let it run wide open.

 

[sberry]

I have a wirematic but as i recall ,,,,,,,, best i can, the power mig may put more on top end. I know the Miller version can peak 300A . You don't use this at home, 035 C25 about 10A less input, about 38 or so in short circuit, 200A or so out.

 

[American Locomotive]

Don't run a 14-50 if you're not going to pull a neutral. Either swap the machine to a 6-50, or pull 4 wires.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Agree with above.

Use a 6-50.

Also the chart you posted is blurry.

 

[Jwbfx4]

Not sure why the chart is blurry looks good until I attach it. See what I can do. Thanks.

Still blurry, but here’s a link to the page from Lincoln. It page #10. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/servicenavigator-public/lincoln3/imt636.pdf

 

[sberry]

Ok, I wasn't sure with the power mig but looks to be the same as their other 250 machines, 10 in pipe up to 100 ft. Even though it says 60 fuse use a 50 breaker. This is for a couple reasons but it keeps it legal for other machines. You can plug any that come with a factory 50 end in to it.
If you are using a cable it needs to be number 8.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Looks like that unit is 100% duty cycle capable.

I only briefly browsed the manual so Im not sure if the 100% duty cycle is available for all possible voltage inputs.

If 100% duty cycle is possible on 240v single phase, you should wire it with #8 in pipe or 6/2 NM on a 50a breaker.

 

[Matt Matt]

Run #6g on 50a breaker.

 

[sberry]

Look at the chart. It lists number 10 for that machine. It's not 100 percent at 50 input or it's max output. 10 single circuit in pipe or 8 cable. As I mention above, in a home garage this is well suffecient, it lists it to 100 ft, any less and it's easily good especially in a home garage. Not the same as a trailer factory.
I have had one for 25 years, have a small welding shop, am a career welder, my shop is cool but the cooling can come on but occasionally in 2 decades, bout count the times on fingers and toes.
This is a 20A ft circuit. For outside a Cord is needed, not a cable, it's the terminology but look on the net, BR Welder or IOC for a ready made. The price on them can't be beat.

 

[sberry]

2nd pic, overhead, crawled under this monster to fix busted stuff. My cords are number 10, have never been able to feel a temp rise in one.

 

[Jwbfx4]

Nice collection sberry.

Thanks for the guidance. Dug around this morning and realized had a bunch of #6 and #8. Will use the #6 and get it done this week.

 

[sberry]

The 6 wont hurt. Having wire on hand is ideal. Early on I put 6 on some outlets cause someone gave me a part of a spool. I have went ahead and upsized when it was cheap or free. I got some 10 in a deal. Used it for long runs in the storage. The idea was it wouldn't take much to convert it to a wood shop,,, it's well overwired for storage. Not much power use but some of the features.
A 255 is a do it all machine. it's big enough that it's 2x as fast for real welding work as a 180/210 class . Put a big bottle on it for cheaper gas and buy a full size spool of wire and the materials are 1/2 cost. It pays for itself if it's a time is money question.
For little repair and utility these factors are not so important, I actually use a 180 for most of my jobs. The frequency is often but the duty light, can do hundreds of jobs on 10# of wire, little itty bitty welds on light material.
The 255 can do it all but it's like my battery drills, it gets old using heavy tools and I hate changing wire, like light compact guns etc. A little smaller wire makes sheet work lots easier. So,,,,

 

[sberry]

If it's free I take the 6, Got nothing against buying 8, if I got it on hand and is legal will use 10 here. I gotba couple 10/50 for 50 machines, 3 ft long, he I had so much in the panel anyway, some smaller wire being easier.

 

[sberry]

So,,, while there is a tendency to want every process a 180 machine with 030 is something i would eventually want or certainly makes it easier. Some guys have 120 machines 023 wire for this same reason. I keep my 255 around, I own it, not worth a lot to sell and there is a job once in a while it pays to pick up a heavier machine.
We built some trailers a while back, was obvious when it came to weld joints out, especially if someone was waiting, bigger machine easier.

 

[sberry]

If I got a little I like a little wire, if I got a lot want a big one.

 

[Jwbfx4]

It’s already on hand so now worries there.
I really don’t need this big of a welder, but hard to pass up the deal I worked out. Atleast I don’t have to worry about being undersized. Hah. Thanks again.