new to welding and i have a question?

[zip kart]

i just bought a 160a Arc welder
and it says that i cant use a domestic 3-pin plug and may not be connected to a standard domestic socket ,the welder must be connected to a 30 A fused spur ???
what is this ??
any pictures of what it looks like?
any help would be great

 

[mckutzy]

What is the brand of the machine, and/or post a pic.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I'm not totally up to speed on European electrical, but-

I think you guys have 10A household circuits. Your welder requires much more power than this. The fuse (or breaker), conductors, and other components in your average household circuit cannot handle the high current draw requirements of your new welder.

Basically, you'll need to have a qualified electrician run a new 30A circuit from your panel to your work area. Do NOT do this yourself if you do not know EXACTLY what you are doing. Your life depends on it. As a tradesman in the insurance biz, I can tell you- fire is both devastating and very, very sobering.

 

[zip kart]

dont worry i wouldnt even think of doing it myself il ask a electrician about it

 

[OzFab]

Be aware, it's gonna cost you! I recently had a 15A line run by my nephew who's an elecrtician & it cost me $250; I only paid for the cable, not labour & it took 3 guys 3 hours

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Holy crap, Fab- Did they have to run it from 3 streets over?

 

[DaiSan76]

No kidding. I ran a 220 line with my Dad last year and I think I spent $30.

 

[OzFab]

Have you seen the price of copper lately? Not 3 streets over but, he did use half a spool (50 metres)

Edit: Ok, maybe he did charge me a bit of labour but, still not full price. I got an independent quote of $600

 

[Nodroz]

Normal household lines are 16A. This is for the sockets where you plug in your computer, tv, radio, whatever.

Lights are at another circuit, which is 10A. As said before, you'll need to install a new line with a 30A fuse.
Normally, these 30A lines are used for your cook plate.

 

[realfast89gt]

No kidding. I ran a 220 line with my Dad last year and I think I spent $30.

That is rediculously low!! I have done this 3 times, twice for a hot tub and once for my barn. The wire alone even for 50ft is more than $30 once you get down to the thicker gauge stuff (10-12g).

Copper is not cheap........but the labor cost will kill you too. Being the handyman in the family i do most of this stuff myself. I install it, then have an electrician come inspect it before i turn on the circuit. Saves me lots of money.

 

[fowler]

There's a reason people will try to cut live train lines to get the copper

It's worth a hell of a lot

U ain't filling me I with confidence fabroman

I've got to look into a few 15 amp plugs in my shed

U can often buy a welder a with the option of a 15 or 30 amp plug
But too late now

I'm unsure of what the standards are for your country or the layout of your house

But if possible u could get a socket mounted on or close to the power board that would obviously be much cheaper

Then u can buy an extension cord of the required size

 

[DaiSan76]

That is rediculously low!! I have done this 3 times, twice for a hot tub and once for my barn. The wire alone even for 50ft is more than $30 once you get down to the thicker gauge stuff (10-12g).

Copper is not cheap........but the labor cost will kill you too. Being the handyman in the family i do most of this stuff myself. I install it, then have an electrician come inspect it before i turn on the circuit. Saves me lots of money.

It was only like 12 feet of wire, the breaker and female end were the bulk of the cost.

 

[OzFab]

U ain't filling me I with confidence fabroman

I've got to look into a few 15 amp plugs in my shed

I'm sure you'd know at least one sparky who'll help you out...

Once you have the main line in, the job's almost done.

 

[fowler]

Ha I know plenty of sparkys but they are auto ones

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I got dead lucky. I had a high voltage line running through my garage, to another room. All I had to do was cut it short. Score!