[AT] Wire size for welder?? Help welder people!

[Bigdog]

John,

Don't overlook the fact that breakers are to protect the wiring, not the device.  If you're running from a 50 amp breaker, you need #6 wire.  The more correct way to look at that is that you size the breaker according to the wire you run.  A 50 amp breaker will not protect #10 wires.  They will overheat and become a potential fire hazard before the breaker trips unless the cause is a sudden short.
    If the welder requires a 50 amp breaker for operation you need wiring heavy enough to sustain a near capacity current draw for an indefinite time period.

Bigdog
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron 
  To: Antique tractor email discussion group 
  Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 11:52 PM
  Subject: Re: [AT] Wire size for welder?? Help welder people!


  Hi John
  You should use 6 gauge wire, 10 gauge on your buzz box sounds way too
  light. What's the input amps on your buzz box, what size breaker are
  you using?

  Ron











  8:01 PM 12/7/04 -0800, you wrote:
  >If I have a 230 volt mig welder that is rated at 45 amps input current I 
  >assume I would want a 50 amp 230 volt breaker .  But what minimum romex 
  >wire gauge would I need to run 25' from the breaker box to the outlet box 
  >for the welder?   For years I've used 10 gauge wire for my 225 amp output 
  >Lincoln buzz box.     John W.
  >
  >                    In the wide-open spaces of NE Oregon
  >   
  >
  >
  >_______________________________________________
  >AT mailing list
  >http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at
  >


  _______________________________________________
  AT mailing list
  http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at