bignbad Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Can I make a dedicated welding outlet (light welding only) in the workshop? I so can someone advise circuit and breaker size? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Pretty much all of the DIY welders run off a regular outlet anyway, so running a dedicated circuit in 2.5mm2 on a 20A breaker is the way to go. If your welder has a Schuko plug then do install the correct outlet, same wiring and breaker. Nothing to stop you going with a 32A Commando outlet on 4mm2 and a 32A breaker if you have a bigger unit. Don't forget it will need a ground ???? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignbad Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 Thanks Crossy, you're the man, knew the answer would be simple, but best to check 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bankruatsteve Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 I routinely run my "inverter" welder over 20m of 1.5mm2 extension wheel (on a 10a breaker) and nothing ever even gets warm. I hardly ever go over 60a setting though. Just sayin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvs Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 Sorry i am on the wrong topic,i taught i saw 'wedding outlet' and wanted to be the first to wish NCC1701A all the best. again,i am sorry. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bignbad Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 JVS, not just you're eyes are knackered, but you're computer spell check isn't working either ???? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) I've 15m of 2.5mm twin left over from my solar install, I added a plug and socket for use welding around the place, no earth, works fine. Why do I need an earth, there's no earth on my welder plug? Edited May 15, 2020 by BritManToo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 17 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Why do I need an earth, there's no earth on my welder plug? Double insulated? Or a Schuko plug? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VocalNeal Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 (edited) Back in the day of stock car fabrication there was at least one guy in the village who didn't have a welding machine so he simply connected his welding rod holder and ground clamp to a cooker socket and welded his chassis at 220v. This did not endear him to his neighbours watching TV! Edited May 15, 2020 by VocalNeal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCor Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 1 hour ago, Crossy said: Pretty much all of the DIY welders run off a regular outlet anyway, so running a dedicated circuit in 2.5mm2 on a 20A breaker is the way to go. If your welder has a Schuko plug then do install the correct outlet, same wiring and breaker. Nothing to stop you going with a 32A Commando outlet on 4mm2 and a 32A breaker if you have a bigger unit. I have several dedicated 4mm2 outdoor sockets in covered boxes to use for the 3 'bbq' fry cookers on 'family night' or for powering construction equipment. Don't know why I even bother as invariably I'll discover the power has gone out as a work crew has dismantled my CU to poke in wires on the 50A main breaker to power their sketchy extension cord running their transformer-based welder to do a project the family ordered -- they having already loaned my inverter welder to uncle so he could finish building his new house. This is Thailand. There's no need to plan anything as it's very unlikely that anything will go as planned. Sigh. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 1 hour ago, VocalNeal said: Back in the day of stock car fabrication there was at least one guy in the village who didn't have a welding machine so he simply connected his welding rod holder and ground clamp to a cooker socket and welded his chassis at 220v. This did not endear him to his neighbours watching TV! There was an outfit in the Philippines that was actually selling a device to do this, it did have some sort of current limiting device inside. Apparently the word "safe" does not appear in the local language. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaibeachlovers Posted May 20, 2020 Share Posted May 20, 2020 On 5/15/2020 at 7:27 PM, BritManToo said: I've 15m of 2.5mm twin left over from my solar install, I added a plug and socket for use welding around the place, no earth, works fine. Why do I need an earth, there's no earth on my welder plug? Who said one was needed? My in laws had an outlet for welding that was wired directly to the mains OUTSIDE the house, so no circuit breaker. I nearly discovered it by putting my hand on the bare wires as they were covered with old junk. They had kindly omitted to put the cover on the knife switch. Obviously I did put a cover over it. Came in useful when I borrowed a big welder to weld the fence, as it kept overloading the circuit breaker on the inside plugs. I used it very carefully. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now