Hot Rod Forum banner

220v mig welder extension cord?

36K views 36 replies 16 participants last post by  BT61 
#1 ·
I just got my new welder a mm175 and was wondering if anyone new where I could find a 50' extension cord at a reasonable price? Lowes did not have the male or female ends I need or I would do it myself. I have found 25' but, not 50'.
Is 50' going to lose power? I would like this so I can move it around my shop without having to install 2-4 new 220 outlet.
Thanks,
Mario
 
#27 ·
I think you'll find that the biggest problem with leaving extension cables coiled up is the danger of fire caused by the cable acting as a coil. Mig welders draw a lot more amps than computer cables.
During my time in the services as a lineman I actually saw a drum of partially uncoiled cable melt because of this.

Better safe than sorry.

Hellz :thumbup:
 
#28 · (Edited)
Help from a electrician!

I'm a licensed electrician by trade in NJ. As far as welders go in the code book, the gauge of the wire is determined BY THE SIZE OF THE WELDER AND DUTY CYCLE, NOT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER SIZE. Welders aren't continious duty. They have a very short duty cycle and as such, the wire is derated in size. It could be very possible to use #10 AMG for a 60 amp welder! At 240V, I would not be worried about voltage drop. Comparing a 240 volt circuit compared to a 120 volt circuit, both operating at the same wattage, the 240 volt circuit could be 4 times longer in distance before voltage drop becomes a problem. Ohms law.

Most likely you'll need 10/3 SJ or SJO cord, 50 foot will be no problem. You do not need a neutral because you do not have a 120 volt load.

Welders are covered under article 630 in the NEC
 
#31 ·
302/Z28 said:
And...it will not hurt if the wire remains coiled.

Vince

Well yes and no. If it's the cord feeding the welder, most likely not. But definately if it's either the single wire for the anode or electrode coiled up and even more so if you put iron in the middle, such as a drum. Now you've created a "choke" that creates impeadence. As long as all conductors for a circuit are bundled together, their magnetic fields on each wire cancel out.
 
#32 ·
Huskinhano said:
Well yes and no. If it's the cord feeding the welder, most likely not. But definately if it's either the single wire for the anode or electrode coiled up and even more so if you put iron in the middle, such as a drum. Now you've created a "choke" that creates impeadence. As long as all conductors for a circuit are bundled together, their magnetic fields on each wire cancel out.
I agree completely, I was refering to earlier comments about coiling extension cords.

Thanks
Vince
 
#36 ·
BT61 said:
OK, I'm confused. I have my TIG welder hard wired with 20' of 8/3 to a 100amp breaker. I keep the extra cord looped over the back of the welder. Should I have it laid out doubled back on itself instead of coiled?
What you are doing is perfectly fine. There will be very little, if any electromagnetic effect generated by the remaining looped wire.

Vince
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top