Make sure i dont burn my garage down?

[Mac_Rob]

Ive researched and i THINK im good. But im paranoid. Can someone check my work please?

So I have a little Lincoln Electric 180i MP DV welder. I know it has 120v, but that doesnt get me anywhere with what I want to weld. So I need to upgrade one of my 240 outlets.

My shop is a 24x30 detached garage with a wimpy 60amp subpanel. The panel is pretty full right now. But there are baseboard heaters on a double pole spot that I can take out. Its not like they are very warm.

My plan is to take that wire and heaters out and put a new 50 amp breaker in its spot on the panel. I got 5ft of 8/2 NM-B and a flush mount 6-50r.

Shop has osb walls. I was just going to place the receptacle about 2ft below the box. Run the cable straight through the back of the flush mount and then up through the knockout.

Anyone smarter than me see any issues with materials or anything that im about to do? I know technically I can get by with a smaller breaker and wire for THIS machine, but I do intend on upgrading in the future and id rather not get back in the walls. Thanks!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

8/2 nm-b is only good for 40a so if you want to use the full 50a for a large welder or something else in the future, you will need 6/2 nm-b

technically 8/2 nm-b on a 50a breaker is code permissible for a welder circuit but not for any other circuit.

8/2 nm-b is stiff and hard to deal with

since this will be right below the panel, personally I would run a piece of conduit and use #8 THWN (which is good for 50a) and be done with it

 

[sparky 1971]

I have a Lincoln 180 but it isn't the dual voltage model. All I had on hand when I put the circuit in was a 30 amp breaker with plans on installing a larger breaker when I got around to it. There has never been a need for a bigger breaker, it works fine on the 30 and I have had it maxed out welding 3/8 plate. The duty cycle is what will give you problems.

With what you have available as well as using my own experience, I'd use the 8/2, throw a 40 amp breaker on it and be done; it's unlikely you'll get a welder that needs more than that in the future.

If someone were paying me to install it, I'd probably drop a piece of 3/4 flex down the wall and use #8 THWN and a 50 but that's only because I don't trust people to do what they say they are going to do.

 

[Lorydr]

8/2 nm-b is only good for 40a

8 awg can be used for 50 amp circuits.

 

[Bert_]

8 awg can be used for 50 amp circuits.

Nm is limited to the 60*c ampacity, which for #8 is 40A.

Luckily this is a welder so we don't have to size the wire that way. The 50 amp breaker is fine.

#8 will run any welder with a 50 amp plug. Even #10 will run most welders

 

[Lorydr]

In our panel shop we didn't use any NM, My mistake.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

8 awg can be used for 50 amp circuits.

#8 THWN can yes, NOT 8/x NM-b. cable/conductor type matters here when looking at T310.15(b)(16) aka T310.16

 

[Mac_Rob]

#8 THWN can yes, NOT 8/x NM-b. cable/conductor type matters here when looking at T310.15(b)(16) aka T310.16

So I finished this, but havent done anything other than verify I have correct V and the welder powers on with nothing smoking at either box. I did end up using the #8NM with that 50amp breaker.

Should I get a 40amp on there before actually welding anything? Ive seen it mentioned that the 50 is ok since its a dedicated welding circuit and not under continuous power.

 

[mike93lx]

So I finished this, but havent done anything other than verify I have correct V and the welder powers on with nothing smoking at either box. I did end up using the #8NM with that 50amp breaker.

Should I get a 40amp on there before actually welding anything? Ive seen it mentioned that the 50 is ok since its a dedicated welding circuit and not under continuous power.

The 50 is fine for a welder circuit.

 

[fitter30]

Just turn off equipment your not using when welding. If your not striking a ark can use anything else. Most welding machines have a duty cycle / cooling cycle unless their production or construction.