need help fast! Ampherage for welder

[brijesh600]

I am about to finalize my electrical in my garage and i need to decide the ampherage i need to have for running a TIG welder in my garage, should i be running a 230V 50AMP or 60AMP? I havent purhcased a TIG welder yet, but i defintiely have plans to have one in the future. please help ASAP, currently i was having them wire it for 220V 60AMPs. It is just a hobby welder, nothing commercial.

 

[readhead]

60 is fine. Most machines will have a 220 50 amp plug. All the plugs in our shop are on 50 amp circuts.

 

[bimmer1980]

Yup, 60amps of 240 VAC will be fine.

I have seen a few of the older large TIGs that can be more than that, but you won't see that unless you pick up an older commercial unit.

I run my Miller 250 Syncrowave on a 50 amp and it is fine. The Tig torch get's too hot before there are ever any issue with the circuit.

 

[lametec]

Depends on your TIG welder. Mine requires a 100A circuit for max output.

Edit: Actually, the max draw on the welder is 104A, so the circuit should probably be 125A or so to avoid nuisance tripping. I'm using a 75A breaker, though, since I don't anticipate maxing it out anytime soon (or ever).

 

[w1im]

i need to decide the ampherage

FYI: No "h" in the word Amperage.

 

[ChevyIINova]

I put four 50amp outlets in my shop. Newer welder transformers are more efficient and if you get an inverter Tig it's consumption is lower. My older miller 250 is spec'd for 50 amp at max output. I've never run it at max. My 200 amp Inverter Tig only requires 30 amps to run at max output. When welding Aluminum I have used max output.

The real correct answer is to select the specific piece of equipment and gets the specs for that piece of equipment. Welders are not quite as cookie cutter as oven or driers....

 

[brijesh600]

so my next question would be, should i run 220 or have them run a 240?

 

[Zeke]

Only a big TIG with AC capability and not an inverter machine would present a problem beyond 60A, IMO.

 

[brijesh600]

I put four 50amp outlets in my shop. Newer welder transformers are more efficient and if you get an inverter Tig it's consumption is lower. My older miller 250 is spec'd for 50 amp at max output. I've never run it at max. My 200 amp Inverter Tig only requires 30 amps to run at max output. When welding Aluminum I have used max output.

The real correct answer is to select the specific piece of equipment and gets the specs for that piece of equipment. Welders are not quite as cookie cutter as oven or driers....

agreed.. but i am not yet ready to get my TIG welder. (probably wont own one for another year, till i take some classes at a community college) just preparing myself for the worst case scenario.

 

[JakeKohl]

so my next question would be, should i run 220 or have them run a 240?

220 is the new 240 - just like 110 is the new 120. It's the same and people throw around those numbers to describe the same service. It's a bit of a new school vs. old school nomenclature...you can't change the voltage coming into your house (easily).

 

[brijesh600]

whew thats a relief! So i should be good then! thanks for the fast and informed responses .. really appreciate it!

 

[pmiranda]

220 is the new 240 - just like 110 is the new 120. It's the same and people throw around those numbers to describe the same service. It's a bit of a new school vs. old school nomenclature...you can't change the voltage coming into your house (easily).

That drives me nuts. Nobody has used 110 since the days of Edison and DC power. What makes it extra confusing at 240V is that in Europe, they really did use to use 220V, while 240V was used in the UK, and now with the EU, they've standardized on 230V.
Meanwhile in the US, 240V is standard single-phase.

OK, back to your regularly scheduled thread... you can't go wrong w/ 60 Amp, although you might wait until you have your welder before you buy the outlet since it might come w/ a 50A plug.

 

[trainer]

It may good idea to run a 240/120 circuit ( 3 conductor + ground in the cable) while you are at it in case you get a machine that needs it. You probably wont need it, but it will be easier to do now.

 

[gorilla]

Why limit yourself? It can't cost much more to run a 100 amp service and then you are ready for just about any welder you choose to buy. I've tripped a 100 amp breaker with my old Miller quite a few times welding thick aluminum.

 

[cyamaha2007]

My work tig will blow the 100amp breaker at the edge of the shop no problem. Keep in mind voltage drop if the welder is any real distance from the service entrance. Some welders get picky when you start feeding them with low voltage due to a improperly sized circuit.

 

[porschedude996TT]

You will probably be fine with 50 amp would be fine for a 200 amp welder. My Miller Syncrowave welder has a 50 amp requirement. Mostly I weld at a lower value. Not building a ship.

 

[sberry]

some machines are rated to plug to 50a max. 50 is a standard "welder" circuit, ideally is to leave means to add the right wire for any unit above this that does not come with factory cord and plug.

 

[lmwilco1]

My Syncrowave 250 calls for a 125A breaker. I doubt it pulls anywhere near that but that is what the manual says.

Louis

 

[brijesh600]

well it is done folks! i have a 220V 60Amp outlet in my garage now, no going back on this one. cost me a small fortune getting all the outlets i wanted in the garage, a lil over 2K, but its there. My TIG welding needs are going to be very minimal , but if i get really good at it, maybe i will run another line at a much later stage if necessary. i feel comfotable for now that i am starting now with adequate supply. really appreicate all the input guys.