Warrenator
Well-known member
Ah, I see the clamp on ammeter suggestion now. That would have been the first thing I checked. Thanks!
Breaker keeps tripping
- Thread starter dt5150
- Start date
Alchymist
Well-known member
Many "20 amp rated" loads such as welders get away with 15 amp plugs because thy are intermittent duty. Your welds may draw just a little more than 15 amps, and depending on duty cycle may or may not trip the breaker. For example 17-18 amp bursts for 20 seconds with a cooling period between bursts might not trip the breaker, but a sustained burst of 30 seconds repeated rapidly might. It's all about the cb time curve.
NEC in special cases allows a #10 wire with a 50 amp breaker for welder applications. This can be done because of duty cycle ratings.
20 amp receptacles will accept the 15 amp plug, but the 15 amp receptacle will NOT accept the 20 amp plug.I am surprised to hear that since a 20 amp female has a a different shaped (sideways T ) prong
As you can see it will accept a 15 amp male.
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Wow lot of wrong info on this thread brought back from the dead.
Im still trying to figure out how a 20a plug can fit in a 15a receptacle.
Im still trying to figure out how a 20a plug can fit in a 15a receptacle.
That's because this person is a spammer. These people like to find high Google searched threads and put their link in there. They usually always add a link to a website. This thread with 12,000 views and this thread with 11,500 views. I almost wager that the poster is from Nigeria. I see this and I'm not even a moderator. You might not like how I wire things. But I got your six.Wow lot of wrong info on this thread brought back from the dead.
Im still trying to figure out how a 20a plug can fit in a 15a receptacle.
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sberry
Banned
A 140 can easily pull well over 20, I forget what it's rated output is. The manual calls for a 20 circuit I believe. Yes the code allows for smaller wire for welders, in fact 12 on 50.
The only plug ready 50A machines that need a larger wire are hi power migs. No one thinks 12 is really a great idea though even if legal. There is such a performance leap with 10, only a fuzz better with wire larger than that and the operator wouldn't be able to notice the difference.
sberry
Banned
A couple more things, a 15 on a 14 won't overheat the wire before a trip and the breaker is the same at the box store as the jobber. The OP did good, did the right thing. A new wire, new circuit just for this or similar tools. I consider this a part of a lot of new equipment, I do have a couple outlets around to move a welder to but where they sit, their home has an outlet and circuit tailored just for them. None shared with other equipment, same for compressors.
The pressure washer has its own, a 30 and not used on a 50 welder.
The pressure washer has its own, a 30 and not used on a 50 welder.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Yeah i figured the person above me was a spammer.
Thats why i didnt bother replying to them directly.
Im just amazed at the BS which mycomment was in response to.