Richard D
Well-known member
Electricity is such a mystery to me I have no idea how to do a search on this. I want to locate my machine about 30' from my fuse box. What size cable should I run in the wall?
Cable Size for Miller Spectrum 375 Plasma Cutter?
- Thread starter Richard D
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Grumpy365
Well-known member
Grumpy365
Well-known member
The data I see says it draws 14 amps at 230 volts. For that I would pull 12AWG
It says 28 amps at 115. I would pull 10AWG.
It says 28 amps at 115. I would pull 10AWG.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
When I read posts like this my first and only instinct is to say call an electrician.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
If the specs grumpy found ARE correct for your particular machine, then i concur. What type of plug is on your welder?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Agreed BUT people these days want to do things themselves despite the inherent dangers involved because of lack of knowledge or skill!
So much wrong with this! Why would the OP waste money on #6 wire when his welder doesnt even pull 15a @ 240v? And how would jumpering the terminals in the outlet give 240v? What u are recommending is a waste of money and makes it more complicated than it has to be!
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Grumpy365
Well-known member
Here is where I got the amp draw:
http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/PC9-1.pdf
I thought I overized it a tad on the cautious size, going with #12 on the 240, technically I think he could get by with #14, but I wasn't going to recommend it.
http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/PC9-1.pdf
I was wondering what he was talking about, I thought he was being facetious.
I thought I overized it a tad on the cautious size, going with #12 on the 240, technically I think he could get by with #14, but I wasn't going to recommend it.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
Oh, I agree. It's just I am SO done with giving people advice who are blatantly and obviously over their heads. There ARE times when "call a pro" is the ONLY answer. At least the only answer I am comfortable providing.
I agree again!
bczygan
Well-known member
A blank page teaches nothing.
A bunch of answers, some conflicting, allow the OP to see there is some complexity to the task and also that he needs a clear and complete answer. It also helps the OP to gauge his own level of knowledge. Some people don't know what they don't know. For the OP who is knowledgeable, but unclear on a point or two, a forum can bring good answers while bringing the knowledge level up for bystanders.
I'm all for spreading knowledge on these forums. But there is always an implied warning to do further research and take answers with a grain of salt. Some answers aren't specific enough. Some don't cover associated problems. Some are over done and expensive. Some are just plain wrong. But the back and forth can reveal good info. And when you get a consensus from qualified posters, it is useful.
Yes, electrical work can kill you and improperly done, is a danger. But the more we discuss it, the better.
A bunch of answers, some conflicting, allow the OP to see there is some complexity to the task and also that he needs a clear and complete answer. It also helps the OP to gauge his own level of knowledge. Some people don't know what they don't know. For the OP who is knowledgeable, but unclear on a point or two, a forum can bring good answers while bringing the knowledge level up for bystanders.
I'm all for spreading knowledge on these forums. But there is always an implied warning to do further research and take answers with a grain of salt. Some answers aren't specific enough. Some don't cover associated problems. Some are over done and expensive. Some are just plain wrong. But the back and forth can reveal good info. And when you get a consensus from qualified posters, it is useful.
Yes, electrical work can kill you and improperly done, is a danger. But the more we discuss it, the better.
BD1
Well-known member
Yep, now you have enough power and a safe wire size for another welding machine. It will cover future purchases too.
I appreciate the safety concerns. I plan to let an electrician do it for me. This is just my hobby shop in my garage. I also have a 220V welder that uses a 30 amp plug. I'm just trying to buget in my wire, I may even score some for free, I also don't want to spend a fortune on overkill, cable is expensive these days!
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Is this the type cable I would need?
http://www.wireandcabletogo.com/6-AWG-THHN-Building-Wire.html?
Two separate cables? Or a third for the ground?
http://www.wireandcabletogo.com/6-AWG-THHN-Building-Wire.html?
Two separate cables? Or a third for the ground?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
NO, NO, NO! Unless u want to waste money! As grumpy has already said, #10 is what u need and will work for both welders.
In the future, if u do get a welder with a 50a plug, there is exceptions that allow u to use #10 wire to feed a 50a plug because welders have limited draw. I would have to look up the specifics in my code book. And of course, the outlet MUST be labeled 'for welder use only'!
And yes u need 3 wires- 2 hots and a ground.
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pattenp
Well-known member
If you use NM (Romex) the number scheme is 10/2, the ground conductor is not counted. When buying flexible cord the number scheme will be 10/3 because the ground conductor is counted.
BD1, thank you for helping point out the obvious.
6 gauge stranded wire is about a $1 a foot. Yeah, it might cost you $125-$150 to set this up but you'll have plenty of power if you decide to purchase equipment that requires it down the road. I installed a 400 amp meter base, two 200 amp disconnects, two 200 amp breaker panels (house/garage), four 50 amp outlets, three 30 amp outlets and fifteen 23 amp outlets in the downstairs of my 22 x 36 garage. I did all the wiring myself, got signed off by the city inspectors and juiced by the power company. I have a Bridgeport mill, Grizzly lathe, Miller 170 amp mig, Miller plasma cutter, Miller Syncrowave 250, Rockwell bandsaw, Rockwell drill press, Powermatic drill press, Saylor-Beale/Speedaire compressor and Bendpak HD-9STX lift. You can't have too much power available.
Wyliesdeisels, the jumping is in the machine, not the freaking outlet.
I agree, but this will be in a semi-outdoor location. All my other powertools(except grinders/wood cutting circular saw)are inside the A/C equipped garage. Really gotta get it done on the cheap. If I ever do, in years to come, get something requiring power that heavy, and mount it outside, I'll just pop for new wire.
P.S. If I were to get individual stranded cables, what would I do for the ground?
pattenp
Well-known member
If you are talking about the circuit for the welder, that is so wrong. A 240V circuit has no neutral, but there needs to be an equipment ground. You are miscalling the conductors.
Edit: For circuits above 20A and up to 60A the equipment ground can be a #10 Cu or #8 Al.
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Just to mention some usage experience out there as I have a 375. I ran a 240v 10gauge 30amp circuit for it, this will support the max power level of the machine with no problem.
But I have used it on 120v 12gauge 20amp circuit as well. On this circuit I can cut with the power level set between 16-17 without tripping the breaker. But I found when going that high you have to start at an a edge of the metal to cut it, it you try to blow through it will kick the breaker.
Although it will work on 120v if needed, it is severely limited in what it is capable of doing.
The power cord made on the machine is SOOW 14/3 and has a 20amp 120v molded plug. The manual states to cut the plug off and supply whatever type you need to match the receptacle if you run it on 240v. There is also a recessed voltage selector switch on the back of the machine to change.
But I have used it on 120v 12gauge 20amp circuit as well. On this circuit I can cut with the power level set between 16-17 without tripping the breaker. But I found when going that high you have to start at an a edge of the metal to cut it, it you try to blow through it will kick the breaker.
Although it will work on 120v if needed, it is severely limited in what it is capable of doing.
The power cord made on the machine is SOOW 14/3 and has a 20amp 120v molded plug. The manual states to cut the plug off and supply whatever type you need to match the receptacle if you run it on 240v. There is also a recessed voltage selector switch on the back of the machine to change.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Wrong! 240v is 2 hots and a ground. Yes, grounds and neutrals do terminate on the same bus BUT ONLY in the main service panel! In a subpanel, grounds and neutrals should be separate and the neutrals should be insulated/isolated from the panel enclosure! You dont ever want to confuse neutrals and grounds!