Welder Plug to Breaker Panel

[PearlWhiteGT]

I've been looking at options on how to run a 220 welder at home. I do not have 220 in my garage and had originally planned on running it from the exterior breaker panel through the attic and into the garage. But my attic space is horrible so looking at other options. A simple one that I'm considering is to install the plug right next to my breaker panel and run a long extension cord. I would need 50' - 75' of extension cord. Would I have any issues going this route?

This would be for just hobby stuff at home. I don't even know how to weld but want to learn to repair my own stuff.

 

[steve308]

Have an electrician run a 220 line to the garage and be done with it. It will cost you less then burning the house down.

 

[mike93lx]

50-75 feet of cord is fine if you size it properly for the welder (I'd do #6 for the Primeweld 180 you were talking about), but it will be heavy and expensive (50' will be about $250+).

I'd pull the trigger and get the wire run for a subpanel. You could save some money but downsizing the run and only ever using it for a welder, but I'd run #6 and get yourself a 60a sub.

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

Thanks fellas. I'll do it the right way.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If we are talking about a welder that is less than 200A (using 240VAC input) , 12/3 SJOOW is adequate for 50'.

If OVER 225A, you need to bump that up to SJOOW 10/3. 50' of that plus plugs and receptables and you are talking over $200.

EDIT : Not SJOOW (STW) but his is a steal !

50 ft. Heavy-Duty Outdoor 30 Amp 250-Volt Extension Cord for Welding Machines - Home Depot $68​

 

[PCustoms]

If we are talking about a welder that is less than 200A (using 240VAC input) , 12/3 SJOOW is adequate for 50'.

If OVER 225A, you need to bump that up to SJOOW 10/3.

Code reference?

 

[mike93lx]

Code reference?

The Code of Internet Myths®


But you know that

 

[finn]

Have an electrician run the wire and install a sub panel in the garage. Then you can add a couple of 20 amp circuits for additional 120v circuits without hassle to support other electric devices.

Garage power is usually rather limited.

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

Have an electrician run the wire and install a sub panel in the garage. Then you can add a couple of 20 amp circuits for additional 120v circuits without hassle to support other electric devices.

Garage power is usually rather limited.

If I'm not mistaken, I'd have to pull a permit to run a sub panel. Not something I care to do.

 

[Fixr]

The Code of Internet Myths®


But you know that

Maybe not entirely mythical. When I ran my welder circuit nearly 20 years ago, code allowed a smaller conductor size for a welder-specific circuit than for a general-use circuit, on the assumption that in a residential setting, a welder would be a very intermittent load. That surprised me, but I triple-checked, and verified that it was allowable per code. I have no idea if that has changed since then. It seems like it was something like 10 gauge was allowed in place of 6 gauge. I wasn't comfortable with that, so I used 6 gauge.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Code reference?

The word "adequate" clearly implies there is no code reference.

Beside, I have never heard of any one "inspecting" the use of of extension cord.

Obviously, this is the "best practice" ...

Have an electrician run the wire and install a sub panel in the garage.

 

[PCustoms]

Maybe not entirely mythical. When I ran my welder circuit nearly 20 years ago, code allowed a smaller conductor size for a welder-specific circuit than for a general-use circuit, on the assumption that in a residential setting, a welder would be a very intermittent load. That surprised me, but I triple-checked, and verified that it was allowable per code. I have no idea if that has changed since then. It seems like it was something like 10 gauge was allowed in place of 6 gauge. I wasn't comfortable with that, so I used 6 gauge.

Undersized conductor are allowed for a welder circuit based on a few criteria (i.e. duty cycle) and well documented in the NEC

Posting some random "spec" about how to size the extension cord is just pure BS.

 

[Bert_]

A #10 might run it. Prime weld doesn't publish nameplate information anywhere I could find so no way to know unless you have the machine in your hands.

 

[mikedodge]

No problem with the extension cord way unless you're maxing out the welder and using too small of a cable. I know people who had to use a lot more cord then that to get from the plug to welder.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

is the garage attached or detached?

 

[Sumboodie]

At a rental I'd unplug the clothes dryer, run the cord to outside, and across the yard.

I made up a ~100ft 8 gauge extension cord with 2 receptacles so I could run welder or plasma without constantly switching plugs.
Been using it over 20 years now. (Dang I'm getting old )

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

is the garage attached or detached?

Attached.

 

[KenC]

I've been looking at options on how to run a 220 welder at home. I do not have 220 in my garage and had originally planned on running it from the exterior breaker panel through the attic and into the garage. But my attic space is horrible so looking at other options. A simple one that I'm considering is to install the plug right next to my breaker panel and run a long extension cord. I would need 50' - 75' of extension cord. Would I have any issues going this route?

This would be for just hobby stuff at home. I don't even know how to weld but want to learn to repair my own stuff.

I'm not gonna start a fight. just read NEC article 630, welder circuits, calculate the wire size from it. And be prepared to be surprised.
I'd be the other posters recommendation isn't far off but it depends on the duty cycle. I've run my 200A stick welder on a 30a breaker and 10ga wire for years, and it's code compliant. I could even up size the breaker, bu elected not to as I had a 30 on hand.

 

[imma_stocker]

Maybe learn on a 120V welder before jumping in the deep end? If you're learning to stick weld I'd look for a used gas engine welder/generator combo.
My plasma and suitcase wire feed welder both run fine on residential 120 plugs as long as nothing else is running on the same GFCI circuit. I got quite a bit done with these in my temporary facilities.

 

[75gmck25]

My welder is a Lincoln PowerMig 211i, and it's 120/240 multi-voltage. I've been using my welder on 120 volts for now, since I don't have a 240 volt receptacle installed. I'll eventually install a 240 volt receptacle off the sub-panel in my garage, but so far I've been able to get a lot done on 120 volts.

When you run my Lincoln on 240 volts it only draws 22.5 amps, and they recommend a 40 amp breaker. If you used an 8 gauge extension cord it seems like it would cover most of your needs, except maybe running it at max amperage for a long period.

 

[mike93lx]

except maybe running it at max amperage for a long period

Duty cycle limitations make that a non issue

 

[PearlWhiteGT]

Maybe learn on a 120V welder before jumping in the deep end? If you're learning to stick weld I'd look for a used gas engine welder/generator combo.
My plasma and suitcase wire feed welder both run fine on residential 120 plugs as long as nothing else is running on the same GFCI circuit. I got quite a bit done with these in my temporary facilities.

The welder I'd like to purchase is a 120/220 and plan on sticking to 120 for the time being till I get set up with a 220 plug. I'm pretty sure the 120 would do most everything I'd want, just like the option of having the 220 if needed.

 

[tworley]

My welder is a Lincoln PowerMig 211i, and it's 120/240 multi-voltage. I've been using my welder on 120 volts for now, since I don't have a 240 volt receptacle installed. I'll eventually install a 240 volt receptacle off the sub-panel in my garage, but so far I've been able to get a lot done on 120 volts.

When you run my Lincoln on 240 volts it only draws 22.5 amps, and they recommend a 40 amp breaker. If you used an 8 gauge extension cord it seems like it would cover most of your needs, except maybe running it at max amperage for a long period.

Ive got the 211i too. At 22.5 amps I wanted to get #10 wire. Found #8 was cheaper so went with that and a 40 amp breaker.

 

[Norcal]

Ive got the 211i too. At 22.5 amps I wanted to get #10 wire. Found #8 was cheaper so went with that and a 40 amp breaker.

15A to 60A breakers are the same price, jumps at 70A, then goes up even more at 80A. Not suggesting increasing the ampere rating, only tossing it out as information.

 

[1redTA]

you can perform a good bit of welding with the primeweld 180 on a regular 120 circuit. The machine will limit itself in regards to whether it has 120 or 240. I tried the spool gun on the 120 and it will limit the feed rate. Also when using some 7018 or 6011 rods it would trip a breaker but we were in an out building and the load was already high.