New construction: welding outlet

[Blk88GT]

I am 1/2 way through the wiring in my new shop and want to get the welding outlet done. The only problem is, I don't have a 220v welder yet.

I know it's a 50a outlet, but what should I size the breaker/wire for? I know it's not rated at continuous load, but I'm not clear on the rules for sizing of wire.

I wouldn't go bigger than a Miller 212 at the absolute most.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steevo]

Run 8ga wire, and leave the breaker out for now, or buy a 50A breaker and hope that is what you end up needing.
Research all of the models you might purchase, to be sure whether any of them have a 4-wire plug (hot/hot/neut/gnd).
Some welders provide a 115v convenience receptacle on them, which needs the neutral wire. This would require 8/3 w/gnd.

More typical is 8/2 w/gnd, which is a commonly available NM (Romex style) cabing.

 

[madosta]

I thought if using NM you need 6awg for 50amps. 8awg if in conduit.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189167&highlight=welder+outlet
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188914&highlight=welder+outlet

I'd run 6awg and a 50amp breaker to a NEMA 6-50R. IMHO.

 

[Norcal]

Run 8ga wire, and leave the breaker out for now, or buy a 50A breaker and hope that is what you end up needing.
Research all of the models you might purchase, to be sure whether any of them have a 4-wire plug (hot/hot/neut/gnd).
Some welders provide a 115v convenience receptacle on them, which needs the neutral wire. This would require 8/3 w/gnd.

More typical is 8/2 w/gnd, which is a commonly available NM (Romex style) cabing.

This not necessarily true the 120V supply could be derived from the welder & not require a neutral w/ the supply conductors.

 

[pattenp]

I thought if using NM you need 6awg for 50amps. 8awg if in conduit.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189167&highlight=welder+outlet
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=188914&highlight=welder+outlet

I'd run 6awg and a 50amp breaker to a NEMA 6-50R. IMHO.

I agree. It's just simpler to size the wire and breaker as a general purpose 50A outlet circuit and not get into reducing the wire size because of it being used for a welder.

 

[Aceman]

I agree. It's just simpler to size the wire and breaker as a general purpose 50A outlet circuit and not get into reducing the wire size because of it being used for a welder.

I agree. I usually only mention the smaller wire size when people are saying you have to run fullsized wire or the poster wants to do it the cheapest way possible.

 

[awdblazer]

blk88gt
since you dont know the load (welder) you must wire it to the receptacle
50 amp 2 pole breaker
6/3 nmd90, nmwu, teck90 (or 6/2 if strictly 220 but 6/3 will probably be cheaper)
then the receptacle depends if it is 120/240 or 240
6-50r for 240 only
14-50r for 120/240
when i was pricing out cable for my garage subpanel ba robinson off of chevrier was the cheapest

 

[Jbullfrog]

I ran 4 - 8's when I ran my second 220 outlet. The extra one is there if I need it, but currentlyl not used. I have a 50amp on both sides of my shop and an extension cord that will reach to the center at either end.

 

[Thruxton]

Generally I like to oversize things, but the manual for my Hobart 185 says not to oversize the breaker, as it protects the circuitry inside the welder. They spec'd a 20A breaker for the 240V circuit so that's what I used. Even if you oversize the wiring for future equipment I would stick with the recommended breaker size, FWIW.

 

[Blk88GT]

I should have specified a few more things:

a) I'm running in conduit
b) The run will be approx 75ft

I was leaning towards pulling #6.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Steevo]

I should have specified a few more things:

a) I'm running in conduit
b) The run will be approx 75ft

I was leaning towards pulling #6.

Thanks for the input.

Yes, your added specs do make a difference.

 

[Aceman]

I would run 8's.

 

[pattenp]

Do you ever see wanting to use this outlet for something else at times such as a large space heater? If you do then use #6. If it is strictly for welder use only then use the #8 as suggested but clearly mark the outlet as "Welder Use Only".

 

[hh76]

If you are running conduit, you can always hold off on pulling wire until you have a welder. If you want to run it now, I'd suggest 6, just in case you find something else that would enjoy 240v, or decide on a bigger welder.

 

[Norcal]

If you are running conduit, you can always hold off on pulling wire until you have a welder. If you want to run it now, I'd suggest 6, just in case you find something else that would enjoy 240v, or decide on a bigger welder.

8 AWG THHN is rated for 50A, more then adequate for most needs.

 

[Aceman]

8 AWG THHN is rated for 50A, more then adequate for most needs.

Yeah, I don't see any reason to run #6 THHN when the outlet is only good for 50 amps....

 

[awdblazer]

#8 here is only good for 45
#6 is good for 60