CircuitBreaker for Welder

[kc10a]

I bought a used Hobart Handler 120 MIG welder for my shop. The instruction manual said to use a 20 amp slow blow circuit breaker. I went to the local GE distributor today and they said that GE doesn't make one. I have a GE Homeline main box. Any suggestions? Could I just use a 30 amp breaker and 10 GA. Wire? If you can suggest a place to get one, I'd appreciate it.

 

[Norcal]

A standard circuit breaker is fine, BTW, Homeline is a SQ D panel.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Circuits for welders are different than general use circuits.

Input at max load is 24a at 30% duty cycle.

25a breaker with minimum #14 wire. U can step up the wire size if u plan on using the outlet for other devices...

 

[ishiboo]

Except that the receptacle used will be a standard 5-20 20A receptacle. Is it legal to feed a single regular 20A receptacle from a 25A circuit, welder or not? Being that this is a regular receptacle, are you allowed to undersize the wire as you can for a dedicated welder circuit?

I would put up a 20A duplex with #12 wire and a 20A breaker. As it doesn't have to be dedicated, and is a regular outlet, there will likely be times it will be used for other things. Plus the next owner will just see a 20A outlet...

 

[zkling]

Just plug it into the wall and use the darn thing. If it keep tripping the breaker, then search for a solution.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Except that the receptacle used will be a standard 5-20 20A receptacle. Is it legal to feed a single regular 20A receptacle from a 25A circuit, welder or not? Being that this is a regular receptacle, are you allowed to undersize the wire as you can for a dedicated welder circuit?

I would put up a 20A duplex with #12 wire and a 20A breaker. As it doesn't have to be dedicated, and is a regular outlet, there will likely be times it will be used for other things. Plus the next owner will just see a 20A outlet...

Thats why i said to step up the wire gauge if it will be used for other devices.

 

[racerex]

I would put up a 20A duplex with #12 wire and a 20A breaker. As it doesn't have to be dedicated, and is a regular outlet, there will likely be times it will be used for other things. Plus the next owner will just see a 20A outlet...

That's what I use for my 120V Lincoln MIG welder. I only have one 20A duplex outlet on that run. I don't weld often, so I mainly have my 2hp air compressor on that outlet.

 

[kc10a]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the help. I'm definitely not an electrician.

 

[sberry]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Circuits for welders are different than general use circuits.

Input at max load is 24a at 30% duty cycle.

25a breaker with minimum #14 wire. U can step up the wire size if u plan on using the outlet for other devices...

I realize wylie is an expert but this is not really correct.

 

[sberry]

Norcal hit it right on and it spun from there. 1 Rating Label
2 Grounded Receptacle
A 115 volt, 20 ampere individual
branch circuit protected by time-delay
fuses or circuit breaker is required.
3 Plug From Unit
Select extension cord of 14 AWG
for up to 50 ft (15 m) or 12 AWG for
50 up to 200 ft (61 m).

 

[theoldwizard1]

Circuits for welders are different than general use circuits.

Input at max load is 24a at 30% duty cycle.

25a breaker with minimum #14 wire. U can step up the wire size if u plan on using the outlet for other devices...

I realize wylie is an expert but this is not really correct.

... unless it is a DEDICATED welder circuit !

I am with sberry. If you are going to install a 5-20R you should back it with the appropriate size wire and breaker. Even if the receptacle id labeled "WELDER ONLY", you never know who will plug what into that receptacle.

 

[sberry]

... unless it is a DEDICATED welder circuit !

It is dedicated for a 240 circuit. You cant put 14 wire on a 20 general 120 circuit.
There are a couple provisions for some dedicated 120v and it could apply to the welder in some case but for the crowd we are dealing with here it should be a 12/20. Some of these allowed 14 ( at 240) as ungrounded conductors and required 12 as a ground.
Most of the variations and special allowances should be taken with a bit of caution ad may work fine in a supervised world. The basic reason of the plug and cord system is it takes some of the guesswork out of it for the avg user.
You can turn a 140 machine up far enough to trip a 20 especially if one runs a larger wire in it. The move to inverters makes for more output while being less demanding on the existing wiring.
The circuit could be modified to run above 20A provided it was exclusive to that machine and not part of a general.
I am a big fan of diy wiring for one reason. 1st a simple circuit like this is as easy as it gets, most who ask and try do a good job and it takes any load off of existing which may be old etc or part of other circuits and connection and ideally places it on a circuit which goes from breaker to wire to receptacle.

 

[sberry]

Ist thing and maybe formost, want to be safe, run a new wire.

 

[sberry]

I got a saw, it trips a 20 as my service is sturdy and close. I had a fist full of 10 at hand back in the day at the time etc and put it on a 10/30 but in hindsite would have used 12 for this if I was to do it again.
The orange one is the factory saw cord with a 15 end.
The top outlet hasa 30A breaker for the pesky saw (I forgot I had it and might have used it for welding machine test) the bottom is a duplex at 20A with a small band saw on it and another cord with 15 end but 12 cord for a further duplex. It really should be a power strip or would have been the easiest way.

 

[sberry]

The owners manuals on 240v 200A wire feeds are confusing at best. Its something they could and should fix. They could give the absolute minimum standards they do now with some kind of recommended or preffered upgrade and explanation that the machine is allowed on common 50A welder circuits.
In fact it is legal running from the bare minimum on a 50A which would be a 12 wire (in a pipe) If its legal for a buzzer its legal for a 210.

 

[sberry]

The OM is bisexual for the 120/240 models. For the 120 it lists a 20A circuit, since it doesn't require a dedicated 20A it makes sense by default this 20A will have 12 wire. It lists separate specs for the 240 input and if one looks at the parts lists they have different wire for cords I believe. I think the 120v have 14 and the 240 12 and this is the one they allow for 14 ungrounded service conductors. Its also a very narrow case where they require the grounding conductor to be larger which is 12.