requirements for 220v 180 amp welder

vsheetz

Welders are a bit confusing - rated and wired differently primarily due to the low duty cycle during use. The 'standard' plug for most 220v welders and plazma cutters is a 50a plug - and one with two parallel blades that differ from most other 220v appliances and tools. But the smaller 220v units don't need a 50a circuit (as the OP reports his is rated at ~25a).

In this case you would be fine with a 30a plug and matching recepticle - fed from a 30a breaker and #10 wire. Alternatively you could install the 50a welder plug and matching recepticle. And yet another option is to install as I described previously, using a conversion extension cord (BTW - my ~25' conversion extension cord I made from #8, but it could be #10 and work fine).

primo

okay I meant to say plug in my last post. it comes with the power cord that appears to be thicker than 10awg but it does not have a plug attached. I will need to identify the gauge of wire. buy a matching plug, the same gauge extension cord, and then the recepticle and line also set to carry the same amps? correct?

vsheetz

The power cord on your welder may be #12 and not #10 - my Miller 175 has the orginal power cord and it's #12. So if you work from what the power cord for your all the wiring, plug/recept, etc. you may be sizing too small.

I imagine your welder has either a #10 or #12 power cord. I would suggest a minimum a common 30a circuit to power your 180 welder. A 30a breaker, #10 wires to a 30a recept (6-30R) - and then put the 30a plug on the welder power cord itself.

My setup is as above to the from the breaker to the recept30a breaker, #10 wires to a 30a recept (6-30R) - then I have a conversion extension cord from the recept to the welder which has the original/standard welder plug on it.

primo

alright thanks everyone for the help. I finally understand how to wire it.